Here is a continuation of our last post, with a list of steps to consider using to build your online presence and attract the attention of prospective hiring managers. As the Channel Insider article explains, there are many SEO and online strategies you can adopt to land your next job:
9. Get listed in important web sites – If recruiters and headhunters are scouring the web for experts, you need to be found where they are looking. According to Talbot’s sources, you should target a blend of networking and career sites, but good sites to start include LinkedIn, ZoomInfo, TechDirect, DICE, and, of course, NETSHARE. You might also look to resources like SmartSource for short-term contracts.
10. Use job search aggregators – Rather than looking for jobs on the Web, job search aggregators like SimplyHired, Indeed, and NatsJobs can deliver them to your e-mail inbox. Of course, if you want exclusive job listings that aren’t scraped from other job sites, you also should subscribe to NETSHARE and have our exclusive positions sent to your e-mail box as well.
11. Manage your online identity – If you haven’t already done so, set up a Google alert for yourself to keep track of your online identity. Make sure that what others are uncovering about you online reflects your best professional persona. You should be managing your online identity like you manage your credit statement; protect your good name. You might also consider a Google search to be your first interview in the hiring process, so do yourself a favor and do some online digging to make sure you make a good first impression.
12. off your digital dirt – As part of online identity management, be sure to clean up your digital dirt make sure there aren’t any rogue comments, posts, or photos that might come back to bite you. Remember that the Web has a long memory, and search engines can find almost anything.
13. Consider a micro-targeted online ad campaign – Facebook lets you run ad campaigns for a very small fee. You can target companies in specific verticals or particular geographic regions. Case studies are proven marketing tools, and you can use case studies to drive traffic to your online profile(s). Use you use the case study as a response tool for your micro-ad campaign, or to drive interested prospects to your blog site or LinkedIn profile.
14. Make a promise in your profile – If you think of your online identity as your first interview, then it makes sense that you should be prepared to make a promise to prospective employers. Consider using a promise in your headline or profile lead, such as, “I Save Money for High Tech Companies,” or “I Can Increase Your Sales 33%.” Think of it as being similar to a brand promise in an advertisement.
15. Understand how search works – Remember that the best jobs are not being posted, but are being filled by recruiters using online search to identify candidates qualified for the job. Reverse engineer this process and make sure you have the right search terms in your profile information. Use Boolean search on Google and other search engines to find candidates with similar credentials and use the same keywords that a hiring managers will use.
16. Understand what keywords to use – One of the best ways to identify the right keywords is to make a list of keywords you would use, and then run them through the Google AdWords Keyword Tool. This will give you an indication of how strong your keywords are. Note that differences in spelling can make a big difference, such as video conferences versus videoconference.
17. Stay focused – If you are using a blog for job hunting, then make sure that the majority of the content is relevant to the job. Don’t stray into irrelevant discussions or other areas of interest. Remember, it’s all about building your online brand. Focus on content that demonstrates your insight, expertise, and how you would deliver superior performance in a professional setting.
Remember that in today’s job market, the trick is to stand out from the competition. If you can master some of the search engine strategies to drive the right attention to your online brand, you won’t have to keep scouring the web looking for the right opportunity. Instead, hiring managers will find you themselves and bring those opportunities to your doorstep.
