More on Social Networking: Using it to Your Advantage

Those that are particularly savvy when it comes to technology have probably been long time social networkers in one form or another. Yet since the recession began, more and more are finding the benefits tied to online networking.

LinkedIn was averaging about 1 million new users per month, but when September's economic melt down hit they were averaging about 1 million new users ever two weeks. Job seekers, employed, and employers are filling every social networking site in hopes of creating a strong web of connections, finding jobs and filling positions.

Facebook took one of the biggest surges in new member rates consisting primarily of advertisers and job seekers. Similarly, Twitter gathered millions of new seekers, employers and companies seeking similar opportunities and even some recruiters.

Why social networking?

Experts stand by the mere fact that the internet allows us to quickly make connections without needing to know the person first. True, e-mail and snail mail allowed for generally the same thing, but social networking has evolved to almost a necessary tool.

The tree of connections for most businesses is generally elaborate and involves the friends of friends of friends tier system. With social networking sites this tree can grow into a wide web of connections which can advance a business in many ways. Peoples boundaries of personal information and relationships are almost non-existent on the web. They are willing to share information and make connections more online then in the “real-world”.

It should be understood that by no means is social networking something that should or could replace real-world tools. The combination of both can make a world of a difference. Here are a few tips on how to approach the web of social networks.


Look before you leap. If you are new to the social networking scene, it is best to do your research. In other words narrow your memberships to just a few sites to begin with. Once signed up fiddle around with the site, see what it offers, find people similar to you and learn the ropes. Good things to note; Facebook is still universally used for connecting with friends and fellow classmates or alumni versus potential employers or bosses. Where LinkedIn is primarily a business network, where you can connect with friends, past colleagues or potential employers to build your connections tree.


Describe yourself with detail. In the “About Me” section offered by almost all sites, be sure to fill it out accurately and carefully. Treat it as if it were you explaining yourself to a potential employer and mention your skills, experience or accomplishments.


Don’t advertise yourself. There is a fine line between explaining your talents and blatantly advertising yourself. Network yourself tastefully. Kindly ask recruiters if they have jobs available or offer suggestions to a fellow member, without flaunting your accreditation.

Keep it clean. You’ve heard about students getting suspended from school due to inappropriate online content, be it MySpace or Facebook. This can happen in the business world as well, usually with bigger consequences. Keep photos of your best friends bachelor’s party to your personal networks, privately. Ensure all public profiles geared toward business remain strictly professional.

Make connections vs. just searching for a job. Although searching for jobs may be your main goal, connections are just as important if not more. Look for friends with similar interest, job history or skills. Share ideas with them and build off of that.

Think outside the box. If you receive an interview, gather as much research as you can. Gather important names, learn the history of the potential company, check out their site if possible.

Respect privacy. In addition to keeping your site professional, be sure to maintain a privacy balance among connections, especially your boss. Keep private things invisible to your boss, and confidentially share an online relationship.

Get yourself out there. Online networking has its perks. You get to avoid the uncomfortable handshakes and reluctant introductions that come with personal networking. Online you can join groups that match interests, find old friends that could connect you with employers and get in touch with your industry without awkward introductions.

Grab onto the reigns and embark on the adventure and benefit social networking offers.

Advice: Social Networking, Keeping It Professional

Ah, Social Networking. Its the new thing. Job hungry and their potential employers are taking it on, full force.

It's quite simple really; attend networking events, physically meet with employers, connect to employer-job seeker sites, Facebook, LinkedIn etc. Doing it professionally however, is a different story.

Networking events are effective, but they can drain you out. When doing so, be sure to introduce yourself to potential employers or others that could recommend you. Avoid the overwhelming though of “Who should I call today?” Devote a set time and number of potential employers to contact, to ease the nerves. Also, understand that patience is what will get you through it all. Of coarse you are anxious, and the assumption that no one is calling back ‘because someone else was hired’ is consistent, but remember that employers are just as frantic. You aren’t the only one applying for a job so getting through the resumes takes time. If in fact the job is taken, look elsewhere, it's not the end of the world.

Online networking has become a defining factor in recent hires for many businesses. Top sites recruiters are using to ‘scope’ potential employees out include; Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace, Blogs and twitter. In addition, an estimated ¼ of all seekers are utilizing such social networks to gain employment.

A roadblock involved in the use of these profiles is the readily available and convenient view into your personal and sometimes not so professional life. A majority of businesses have reported that they dismissed otherwise adequate candidates due to unfortunate discoveries.

A majority of these consist of inappropriate photos. Most common among recent graduates and those within the younger generation, are provocative photos, or ones that involve substances such as alcohol or drugs. Employers are not ignorant, and understand that you live a social life outside of work; however, the extent of what you’re willing to share publicly can flash a big red flag. You could be a very responsible, hard working individual, but the employer’s first impression says otherwise, costing you any further job opportunities.

Another reason is etiquette, or lack there of. If your profile consists of information about previous employers, there better not be any ‘bashing’ of said employer. If a recruiter sees your negative response to previous employers, their suspicion of “What if you feel the same way about our company?” will increase, and your chances of getting a job with that company? Decreased. Also, any signs of this, discriminating phrases, or disclosure of confidential company information will greatly diminish the probability of employment, if not revoke the option all together.

Lying is also a huge factor. Be honest about your qualifications and own up to your accomplishments. If you're hired based off of false credentials...well let’s just say a recommendation by that employer probably won’t occur. Businesses want to see your certifications, accomplishments, skills; everything that makes you good at what you do, not what you think you might be good at. Areas like that are available for growth within the company and through experiences.

To avoid any of these situations. Be cautious of what your online profile is saying about you. Do a once over of all your social connections. Clean up bad photos and comments, or create a separate 'business' group or page.

Keep it clean and professional. Its simple and takes minimal time. Your career will thank you for it.

Job Seeker Advice: The World Wide Web of Jobs

With an everlasting recession, it seems that all dignity has been lost when it comes to just finding a job. Reports show an unfortunate 6:1 ratio of job seekers to job openings with an estimated 2.4 million jobs available to 14.5 million job seekers.

Because of these drastic numbers, many unemployed people have resorted to jumping on just about every available job there is, versus actually finding a job the fits with their skill set and experience. The downfall with this method is that most employers see through this and will try to avoid any applicants that do not fit the criteria, making for wasted time on both ends. Playing your strengths will help you stand out and will allow employers to see your skills upfront, adding to your chances of getting the interview.

In addition, HR departments are plastered with overwhelming amounts of paper and online applications, taking time away from the preferred method of one-on-one interviews and processes. The online job application system, although somewhat efficient and quick, can negatively affect the hiring and seeking processes.

Many suggestions such as avoiding job boards and contacting staffing services have helped clean up the mess of online applying. Employers are asking that potential candidates mitigate their number of follow-up calls, texts, e-mails etc. It is understandable that applicants are anxious and feel the need to be consistent in their follow-ups; however, HR reps claim that some are becoming obnoxious. If an employer feels you are too needy or unrelenting it is possible that you will lose your chances of attaining the position.

Finally, minimize your online exposure. The web is an amazing tool, but don’t let it be what prevents you from getting anywhere. Everything is connected and you cannot afford to have anything about you online that could hinder or negatively affect your employment opportunities. Make certain everything is clean and professional.

Treat job seeking as if it were your actual job. Approach it professionally and with patience.

Is Contingent Workforce the Answer? Some Businesses Think So

With the fear of commitment to full-time employment, many companies are avoiding hiring in general which can negatively affect many areas from inner company efficiency to national unemployment. Fortunately, companies are finding temporary employment to be a positive solution.

To survive the recession, employers have been forced to maintain a flexible and creative workforce with variable expenses. Employing contingent workers can be beneficial and less-costly additions.

Small businesses can benefit from temporary labor through staffing agencies just as large businesses do. In fact, they are raising the non-salaried labor demand significantly, increasing the number of people employed. Recent studies show claims for temporary and contract workers will only increase in the coming years.

Demands for September through October continued to rise 3.62% from 77 to 83 according to the American Staffing Association monthly report.

Contingent workers also referred to as temporary, part-time, flex workers or independent contractors are expected to make up half of 2010’s added labor and twenty-five to thirty percent of the total workforce.

On the other hand, some companies are not being careful enough when hiring these workers. When dealing with the transition between full time employees and part-time personnel, some employers do not take into consideration the legal responsibility they still hold. Insurance and other benefits that some employers assume do not apply to contingent workers actually do, causing lawsuits as well as boycotts and strikes. In turn costing the company, more then they had bargained for.

Suggested fields to look into:

To contrast the ever-rising unemployment rates, experts predict that by the year 2016, an estimated eighteen percent increase in employment rates will occur, particularly in the accounting and auditor fields.

Another seemingly important fiend to watch out for is information and computer technology divisions as the employment rates within this sector are though to reach about sixteen percent increase versus a ten percent increase in all other positions, again by 2016.

Also, a potential increase of about twenty percent in meeting and convention planners is expected, as more and more companies will be expanding internationally, increasing the need for face-to-face events will occur.

As to be expected, an increase of about sixteen percent within the healthcare area is thought to occur by 2010.

Finally, Jobs within HR departments are predicted  to rise to about seventeen percent by 2016 due to the increased need for labor relations, training and compensation.

To avoid this, it is important to address these concerns as well as your budget, before employing part-time workers.