Social Networking and Your Job Search

You used to have to wait until the Sunday paper came out to find what jobs were available for you to apply to. Now, you can access thousands of jobs with the click of a button.

Keeping in touch with friends and former colleagues required you to write letters. Now, you are able to see what's going on in your friends' lives by following a real-time Newsfeed.

Advances in technology have equipped you to market yourself, network with others, and stay current on issues in your field online. Utilizing social networking sites, such as Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube and Twitter can help you build your brand and take the next step in your career. While these tools can be useful, don't forget the following important fact:

What you post on-line is accessible. Employers have long used criminal background checks and credit reports to screen candidates. Now, more than 50% of employers are also using Google, LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter to influence their hiring decisions, and sometimes have even revoked a candidate's employment after viewing his/her on-line profile (from a 2010 survey). It is extremely important that you adjust your privacy settings on all of your social networking accounts, and make sure there is no embarrassing content that you would not bring with you to an interview. Also, be conscious about groups you join, as this may be a reflection on you as well.

Get started today on the following social networking sites!

LinkedIn is a great social networking tool to use in your job search. Many employers are starting to use LinkedIn as a primary recruiting source. On this site, you can manage your brand, upload your resume, and connect with professionals in your field to expand your network. Join groups associated with your interest to find new professionals who can help you along in your career.For great tips on how to find a job using LinkedIn, click here.

The largest social networking site with 750 million world-wide users, Facebook is used for a variety of purposes and can help you stay in contact with your network. Companies are now also using Facebook to build their brands, so be on the lookout for the companies you want to work for to see what they are up to. And follow us for the latest and greatest job postings and information that will lead you to a successful and fulfilling career.

When it comes to finding opportunities, it's all about who you know. JIBE connects you to people you already know at companies you want to work for and increases your chances of landing a great job. You can sign in using your Facebook or LinkedIn account. You can also control your data on JIBE. Your private info stays private, you choose what to include in your applications, and companies can never use JIBE to access your Facebook or LinkedIn profile.

Using Pinterest for Your Job Search: Dos and Don'ts
DO: Use your real name as your Pinterest name so you can be easily found via search. Pin the latest copy of your resume with text asking others to share it. Create boards with examples of your work, ie "Websites I've Made" or "My Artwork." Follow employers you'd like to work for on Pinterest.
DON'T: Mix professional and personal. Forget to use the text box to describe every image you pin.

Twitter is a short messaging system (only 140 characters per tweet) that can quickly get information out to a small or large group of people. This social networking site is a great way to promote yourself, your skills and your knowledge in your career field. It's also an effective way to network with recruiters and look for job postings. We tweet about on-campus recruiting, information sessions, job and internship opportunities, along with general career advice. Listorious can help you find topics which interest you, and connect you to professionals who share the same interests!

YouTube is a unique social networking site, in that is was designed for users to upload, share and view videos. Professionals in the performing arts can use this social networking tool to share their writing, short films, and performances with other professionals. Also, companies may use these sites to talk about their organization and share information and resources like we have.