The Best Approach to Job Search: Blend Traditional and Social Media Tactics

Posted: Nov 07, 2010 |

The most successful job searches are neither dumb luck nor magic. They are developed from strong networks that the job seeker has already built, both online and off. Effective job seekers must integrate social media outreach with the more traditional approach in order to present a consistent, aligned, professional image.

Recruiters are evaluated in part based on their abilities to screen qualified applicants, so they don't react well to surprises, such as candidates whose interviews present an entirely different person from what is stated or implied on the resume. Job seekers often forget that human resource professionals are looking for the candidate they saw on paper, online, and in a profile photo-so consistency counts!

The best recommendation is that job seekers include links to their blog, LinkedIn profile, YouTube video resume-whatever online elements they have created-on their traditional resume. Standardize profiles across all social media sites, and link them together.

Candidates must position themselves effectively where recruiters are searching, as well as become content producers in order to attract recruiters directly to them. Bear in mind the current state of the job market:

  • Fewer jobs are available.
  • More competition exists for those jobs.  
  • More touch points exists for job seekers and recruiters to interact.  
  • Smart job seekers must optimize their personal brand and seek out those who are on the lookout for great candidates.  

In addition to the standard-issue background and employer checks, hiring managers-and even college admissions officers-are turning to social networking sites to delve more deeply into the background of applicants. If you think this is unfair, think again. The Internet is not a private club for you and your friends. It's a public space.

The rule used to be that anything on your resume was fair game for an interviewer to consider. While this is still the case, the same is now true for anything on the Internet that has your name attached to it-including your Facebook wall. If you don't like the odds that a recruiter will check out your wall of potentially inappropriate updates, the best advice is to clean your wall.

Like anything else in the realm of social media, candidates should not forego traditional job-search fare in favor of a strict social-media diet of job search. Candidates should continue to post their credentials to job banks, respond to corporate postings, attend career and job fairs, and so forth.

That said, note that this type of activity would have been primary in the past, but today's candidate needs to have a 21st century mentality about job search. While some attention should be devoted to traditional job search methods, the majority should be geared toward social media strategies-regardless of industry or job type. Social media is simply a more efficient way to find yourself a job sooner rather than later.

For more information, watch these video quick tips. Good luck with your job search!

Questions and Answers

Ask
200 Characters left
Rate this Article
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 0 vote(s)
    Feedback
    Print
    Re-Publish
    Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/career-management-articles/the-best-approach-to-job-search-blend-traditional-and-social-media-tactics-3623191.html

    Article Tags:

    job search

    ,

    social networking

    ,

    social media

    ,

    job seeking

    ,

    job hunting

    ,

    online job search

    Peggy McKee

    Everyone knows you need to be participating in online social networks if you're in the job hunt...but not everyone knows how. Learning how to work the system will lead you to a focused, effective, and successful job search.

    By: Peggy McKeel Careers> Career Managementl Jun 23, 2010
    Sherrie A. Madia, Ph.D.

    "Which are the best social networks to use for job search?" That's a good question with no clear-cut answer, as it depends on your definition of "best." There are an overwhelmingly large number of social networks, and new ones being created weekly. Examples include business social network sites, more socially-oriented networks sites, photo and music sharing social network sites, dating social network sites, highly vertical professional social network sites, and social network aggregation sites.

    By: Sherrie A. Madia, Ph.D.l Careers> Career Managementl Feb 12, 2011
    Sherrie A. Madia, Ph.D.

    If you're not using social networking and social media to help you with your job-search efforts, you're just sitting on the side of a river, watching job opportunities rushing by. A social media resume is the vehicle that can help you drive you into that river and surround yourself with far more exposure and job opportunity potential.

    By: Sherrie A. Madia, Ph.D.l Careers> Resumesl Nov 20, 2010

    The internet has become a new place for manager wannabies and the job seeker alike who want to capitalize on the new growth engine. Online job hunting has bred a new generation of job seekers who are more than willing to use their online activities for their benefit and ultimately getting a job of their dreams.

    By: Silas Reedl Careersl Nov 20, 2010
    Sherrie A. Madia, Ph.D.

    In order to create a stronger online presence for job search once you've established a basic presence, try multimedia--provided you are comfortable in this space. If you freeze up in front of a camera, or if an audio recording fails to represent your true strengths, you'll have two choices: Practice until you get it down pat, or skip this step. If you are able to add multimedia, you will create a unique and saleable advantage.

    By: Sherrie A. Madia, Ph.D.l Careers> Resumesl Jan 02, 2011

    If you are unemployed and wanted to find a good job, then the shortest route possible is approaching a placement agency.

    By: PUneetl Careers> Career Managementl Jun 01, 2012

    Time management is an act or process of planning and exercising conscious control over the amount of time spent on specific activities, especially to increase effectiveness, efficiency or productivity.Time management can be effectively done by using various tools and techniques.

    By: wisdomjobsl Careers> Career Managementl May 29, 2012

    Glass ceiling is legitimate and find a solution. This is one of the biggest mistakes that many commit. Sexual discrimination is extremely much legitimate and don't permit this only thing to hold you back and accomplish your ambitions especially in this ever-changing age of modernization.

    By: ruelcloudl Careers> Career Managementl May 28, 2012

    Microsoft IT jobs are not easy to come buy, the nature of the company, requires the best there is and this is why you have to get outstanding skills and qualifications to even be considered.

    By: Rowena Driverl Careers> Career Managementl May 27, 2012

    The health care industry is continuously growing and there's no sign of it slowing down soon. The growth can also be seen on the allied health care services closely tied up to medicine. The reason for this growth is the continued demand for health care. It was further fueled in the past decade by the fact that the world population is aging and is therefore requiring more health care services.

    By: Kristy Turnerl Careers> Career Managementl May 27, 2012
    Sherrie A. Madia, Ph.D.

    Online job search should never completely replace traditional ways of searching for a job. As any good marketer knows-and that's what you are, a marketer of yourself-it's never smart to make assumptions about what works and what doesn't. Rather, the ideal approach is to test everything and see what works for you.

    By: Sherrie A. Madia, Ph.D.l Careers> Career Managementl Jun 04, 2011
    Sherrie A. Madia, Ph.D.

    In the wake of our fast-paced, technology-driven society, parents may find it harder than ever to communicate effectively with their children. While your language and style may change based on the age of your child, these tips are designed for a lifetime of effective family communication. And remember, if communication hasn't been your focus until now—it's never too late to start! This article offers 16 "touch points" designed to provide parents with effective ways to engage with your child.

    By: Sherrie A. Madia, Ph.D.l Home and Family> Parentingl Feb 12, 2011
    Sherrie A. Madia, Ph.D.

    In job search, once you have begun to build profiles and make connections through sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn, what specific ways can you 'add value' or help your new social network contacts as you work to befriend them and gain their trust? Below are 21 ideas to get you started. As you network and engage, you will likely come up with at least another 21 by applying these to your own situation and expanding on them.

    By: Sherrie A. Madia, Ph.D.l Careers> Career Managementl Feb 12, 2011
    Sherrie A. Madia, Ph.D.

    "Which are the best social networks to use for job search?" That's a good question with no clear-cut answer, as it depends on your definition of "best." There are an overwhelmingly large number of social networks, and new ones being created weekly. Examples include business social network sites, more socially-oriented networks sites, photo and music sharing social network sites, dating social network sites, highly vertical professional social network sites, and social network aggregation sites.

    By: Sherrie A. Madia, Ph.D.l Careers> Career Managementl Feb 12, 2011
    Sherrie A. Madia, Ph.D.

    In years and decades gone by, and as recently as 30 years ago, there was no Internet. Career networking has always been "social," and that hasn't changed. It was always about "who you know." But compared to today, networking was far more "local" than today's incredible ability to zoom around the globe in a New York minute via the Internet AND reach out and connect with an absolutely massive social network pool of people.

    By: Sherrie A. Madia, Ph.D.l Careers> Recruitmentl Jan 02, 2011
    Author Box
    Articles Categories
    All Categories
    Quantcast