Social Media: Get Your Foot in the Virtual Door

Use Social Media Like Twitter and Facebook to Get Ahead in the Job Search

By TORY JOHNSON
Workplace Contributor

July 15, 2010 —

The key to getting a job is getting in front of a decision-maker, which isn't as impossible as it may seem.
If you're savvy, social media can get you and your resume through the virtual front door to the person doing the hiring.
The key is to shift your emphasis from looking at positions to finding people. It starts by having comprehensive profiles on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. Without fully complete profiles, which includes uploading all of your contacts and connections, none of these sites are effective for jobseekers.

Twitter: Follow people who work where you want to work.

When you're logged into Twitter, on the top right side of your screen, you'll see a link to "Find People." Type in the name of the company you're eyeing and then review the profiles of each person (or organization) that pops up. Follow those who work in recruiting and/or within the departments that appeal to you.
Earlier this year, Trish Freshwater wanted a job at Sodexo, the leading provider of food and facilities management in the United States. She turned to Twitter. Using the "find people" function, she entered the company name, and reviewed the profiles that turned up in the search results. She then followed those with "Director" or "VP" in their title, as well as everyone in recruiting. One month from sending her first tweet to the head of talent recruitment, Freshwater was offered a job.
Bonus tips on Twitter:
#1: Follow me at Twitter.com/ToryJohnson to ask your job search questions and to receive advice and leads to support your advancement.
#2: Check out TweetMyJobs, which allows jobseekers to sign up for daily alerts on job openings from more than 700 top employers. Alerts are delivered to you directly via email, Twitter or text message.

Facebook: Check out openings at the companies where your friends work.

Just last month, SimplyHired.com, the largest job search engine, launched a new way to job search by integrating a special feature through Facebook. It allows users to see the job openings at the companies where their Facebook friends work.
So instead of pleading to your friends, "Hey, do you know anyone who's hiring ... do you have any job leads for me?" -- an approach that's usually met with a blank stare -- you can be proactive by saying, "I found a perfect opening at your company that I'm ideally suited for, and I'm hoping you'd be willing to get my resume into the right hands."
Since more than half of all hires originate from referrals, this is a powerful way to enable your Facebook friends to help you. Click here for a video tutorial from SimplyHired on how it works.
Bonus tips on Facebook:
#1: Join (or "like") my page at Facebook.com/Tory, where our group shares advice and leads on jobsearching and career advancement every day. This is also where I often post questions to solicit ideas and guests for workplace segments on GMA.
#2: Share positive aspects of your job search on your wall to encourage your friends to support your efforts. Similarly, make sure that your photos are employer-friendly. Airing your frustrations or exposing negativity may be viewed by perspective employers, and that digital dirt could cost you an opportunity.

LinkedIn: Use company research to make connections

More than 1 million companies have profiles pages on LinkedIn, including every major company in the United States, as well as teeny ones, too. These company pages offer a wealth of information for jobseekers to put to work.
Once you're logged in, type the company name of your choice into the search box in the top right corner. You'll be able to see several pieces of key information:
Who in your network may work there or know someone who works there?
Who are the new hires at that company? (New hires, even if you don't know them, may be willing to chat about how they got the gig. Send an email saying something like, "Congrats on landing that awesome position! I'd love to work there too and I'm wondering if you'd have five minutes for me by phone?")
Who may have recently left that company, and could that be the sign of a potential job opening?
Bonus tips on LinkedIn:
#1: Your LinkedIn profile, if complete, allows you to showcase your professional best. Include a link to this profile in your email signature and in your other social media profiles.
#2: Join groups and be active. There are groups based on every location, industry, specialty and then some. Find the groups that are most applicable to the work you're pursuing -- and then engage with other members. Belonging isn't enough if you don't get busy making conversation.
#3: Explore jobs. Click on the JOBS tab across the top of your screen. LinkedIn matches openings based on keywords in your profile. That's another reason why it's essential to have a thorough profile posted. Job postings are often exclusive to LinkedIn, which means you won't find them elsewhere.
Tory Johnson is the workplace contributor on ABC's Good Morning America and the CEO of Women For Hire. Talk to her at Twitter.com/ToryJohnson.
Click here to return to the "Good Morning America" website.

Copyright © 2010 ABC News Internet Ventures