Networking Ideas For Your Job Search

The right person, at the right time or place can really impact your ability to find great job opportunities in the Carolinas and then get your foot in the door, one step closer to that desk, office, or being in the field representing that company.

Some people call this timing luck. I like to think of it as strategic networking. The people you meet over the course of your life have all the impact in the world as to how you live and navigate your life.

Someone at an event telling you about a website or resource. A friend telling you about an opening at their firm or business. Running into an old buddy that puts your mind back into a certain state that changes your direction or motivation.


So where do you go about looking for people to add to your network?

You can 100% start online. Its called social networking, isn't it. Get started on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter to find like minded professionals.

Then take your networking offline. Meet recruiters and search firms. Get their insight and leverage their networks.

Venture out to live events in your local scene. Look for events both in and out of your niche or industry. If you are looking for a marketing position, look for marketing, advertising, public relations, online marketing, social media, business development, sales and other related meetups and events. Go out and meet someone and deliver value to them and it will come back to you.

Head on out to a local job fair, conferences, trade shows and other big time events where people are paying good money to meet people like you and talk shop.

Under30CEO recently published a great article on the after part of networking that centers around ways to follow up. From writing on the backs of business cards to sending links and news to these people that add value to taking new contacts out for coffee.

Lastly, take advantage of job boards and connecting with the people behind the job postings. We have a great video that goes over some strategies to doing just this.

So, what are you doing to be in the right place at the right time?

-Greg

Job Seeking in the Age of Facebook

This is a guest post by Donna Ray Chmura, Esq. Sands Anderson Marks & Miller, P.C. Photo is by Andrew Feinberg.

We live in a time of unparalleled access to people’s personal information and a resulting loss of anonymity. Or, as the blogosphere puts it, “Google is Forever”.

In this day and age, job applicants need to be very aware of what their online profiles say about them. According to a CareerBuilder survey published in The Business Insider, 22 percent of employers check applicant’s Facebook, Twitter and MySpace profiles.

From personal knowledge, I can tell you that parents are checking out potential babysitters and nannies. I have always searched job applicants to spot check their resumes (I never considered interviewing the woman with a great resume whose last three listed jobs had no internet presence at all—was she making it all up?).

Now I conduct a more general online search, including scrutinizing profiles. I am looking for general character and maturity, drug and/or alcohol abuse, whether you are trashing former employers or being sloppy with confidential information.

Try it. Go to your favorite search engine (Google, Yahoo, Dogpile) and type in your name in quotes (use your proper name and your nickname and see if it makes a difference. What do you see?

Do you look responsible and trustworthy, or will I assume you will be too hung over to work on Mondays? Do your friends trash their co-workers, bosses and employers on MySpace? If so, I might assume you will come in and destroy morale. Do you present the kind of image your new employer would be proud to share with vendors or clients, or do you look like a Hooters waitress?

Sure you have a right to express your opinion and be yourself. But, as long as they are not basing their hiring decision on your race, sex, religion, age, family status or national origin, employers are entitled to their opinion of you as well.

Only you can decide if employment is worth a little online clean-up.

Donna Ray Chmura practices in the areas of contract and commercial law, business formation, employment law, commercial real estate, merger and acquisition, licensing, trademark and copyright prosecution and other areas of corporate legal interest. She is a member of the Business, Finance & Real Estate practice group in Sands Anderson’s Research Triangle Park office. She is an author of www.NCLawLife.com. Follow her on Twitter: @DonnaChmura. Call: (919) 993-3300 or Email.

Why Social Networking Is Important for Your Job

Don’t think social networking matters? Think again. Over the last 3 years social networking is on the rise, especially in the job sector. Don't believe me, check out this graph by Indeed:

(Click image to view full size)

Indeed goes through a pretty large amount (approx. 50 million) of jobs every year (including jobs from EmploymentGuide.com) and this graph shows the rise in "social networking" appearing in job postings.

Maybe you won't have to know how to use social networking as your main job function, but it's definitely something worth knowing about. At very least, you should at least be able to track your reputation online and find out what employers can see, especially if you're participating in social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook.

- Rosie Reilman

Employers Banned from Using Facebook?

Awhile back I wrote a post on Personal Brand and the Job Search. Basically cautioning job seekers to be mindful of what they put out there on the web because essentially if you post something for your friends to see, more than likely, your potential employer can see it too.



Today while browsing through the latest kirtsy links in Internet and Technology, I found this: Bosses Could Be Banned from Digging Up Facebook Dirt. Now this article is from a paper in London and so it doesn't really have a whole lot to do with us at present. However, the controversy over whether or not it's right to penalize someone for their online profiles is still being debated.



Whether you think it's fair or not, the fact is that it's happening. Facebook and Myspace are easy ways for your employer to see what kind of individual you are. I always feel like it's better to be safe than sorry and to keep your profile pictures down to an appropriate level. There's no need to share with the world the photos of your binge drinking adventures. Utlize privacy features of websites, too. What can hurt you can be turned into something that can help you. Your profile can project you in a positive way depending on the information you provide. Show off your wide array of interests or your expertise in your field.

- Rosie Reilman