USE SOCIAL NETWORKING IN YOUR JOB SEARCH

How social networking tools can help in your job search
By Connie Thompson

Story Published: Jan 20, 2011 at 9:55 AM PST

More than ever, if you're looking for a job, social networking holds the key. But it's a lot more involved than tweeting to your followers, or posting a notice on Facebook.

Even as the economy picks up, a recent survey by employment researchers at Challenger, Gray & Christmas, shows one in 6 job seekers expects to spend more than a year trying to land a new job. Career counselors say to shorten that time, maximize your social networking.

Nationally recognized career coach Robin Ryan helps employers select top candidates. She also helps job hunters land work. Which websites does she recommend to job seekers?

"We want to go to websites like Indeed.com," she said.

Indeed.com is not a social network site. It's a sweep site that scours job openings from employers sites, newspapers, and other job listings across the country. You can find out about job trends and openings in your area.

"Another great tool on the Internet, too, is called LinkedIn. Now this is the social media you should be using, not Facebook and definitely not Twitter," Ryan said.

A lot of people know about LinkedIn. But Ryan says many people who use this professional networking site are missing opportunities. Experts say the most successful job hunters routinely expand their contacts, research potential employers, get insider leads from their connections, and track down former colleagues and bosses.

"I've had people that were clients, land a new job, because they went on LinkedIn, found old bosses, connected with them, and they either hired them at their new company, or connected them to someone who had an opening and got hired that way," she said.

They key is to find contacts who know someone in the field you're looking for and get your resume in the hands of someone who works at a company where you want to be. But don't live online just sending out resumes. Your computer is only one tool. A big part of the networking formula is connecting in face to face- something many job seekers fail to do.

Employment experts say many job hunters also make the mistake of being too general about what they're looking for.

"Employers do not hire people to work at their company. They hire people to do a specific job. So when somebody says, 'Well, what kind of job are you looking for?' a response like 'Something in management.' is way too broad," said Ryan.

As an example, Ryan suggests a preferable response: "'In my last position I was a supervisor in the customer service call center.' Now that's more specific. You do customer service. You've done a call center. You've been a supervisor. So now you've told us the three things that are important about you."

Employers want specifics: the job title, the duties and what you bring to the table.

Spread that message to everyone on your contact list, and continually expand your list both online and in person.

MY THOUGHTS

yes, employers want specifics. but they want specifics that an applicant can back up by credentials. i remember coaching someone who's looking for a job. he was very specific. he wanted a post in marketing. not just marketing, mind you. he wanted a management post in marketing. a graduate in human resources who worked 2 years in a small family business won't be able to back that up. so, go ahead. be specific. but be realistic, too. i doubt you'd get seriously hired for a position you have no preparation for. not even in school. unless it's a call center. or your dad has the job opening.