If you have been reading this blog, then you know that I am an advocate of networking, and more importantly building your network of contacts before you think you will need them. I recently ran across an article that speaks volumes about the power of networking is the perfect example of how job search works today. Time recently ran an article entitled “Using Twitter and Facebook to Find a Job,” which included a profile of a software engineer who found a new job in less than two weeks with the help of social networking!
“Brian Ward lost his job on a Friday afternoon. Eleven days later he had a new one. With nearly 1 in 10 people out of work and the typical job search lasting 12 weeks, how did the Cleveland-based software architect pull it off? In a phrase: online social networking.”
Clearly, Brian is a poster child for using social media to find a new job, and your mileage will most likely vary, but there are several points made in the Time article that are worth noting. I urge you to read the article (and some of the related articles on Twitter, Facebook, and other social media phenomena – Time is doing a great job covering this arena), but I want to hit some of the high points:
- Social media is not a job search panacea. Despite the recent craze for Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn, you still need to put in the hard work of developing your personal resume, strong marketing documents, and a targeted job search. What social media DOES do for you is give you access. As the article states, “Because for all our technology, the best way to land a job is still by having someone who already works at a company mention your name.”
- Act quickly and let your connections work for you. One of the smart things that Brian did was to reach out fast through his Facebook and LinkedIn connections. He updated his LinkedIn profile and, using his network of contacts, he was able to get a referral for an interview from a high school friend in just a few hours. And by talking to his online contacts, and letting viral marketing work for him, he was able to connect with some very high powered contacts, including a vice president at Cisco Systems.
- Use your social media contacts to help you stay focused. As the article explains, connecting with your friends and others looking for work is great for moral support. That’s part of the reason we hold a weekly Ask the Coach call and maintain forums on NETSHARE and LinkedIn – so our executives can help one another stay focused.
- Anyone has the potential to assist you. In the end, Brian found a new job with the help of a former co-worker. Although she was fairly junior when they worked together, she now had an MBA and enough clout to introduce Brian to the right hiring manager. Remember, it’s as much about who you know as what you know.
