Twitter Your Way to a Better Job
Things you will need:
- An updated resume. Have this handy so you can transfer relevant information to different social-media sites quickly.
- A digital photo of yourself. Get a good head shot of yourself showing you at your professional best to use in your profiles.
- Your e-mail contact list. Once you join a network, you’ll want to quickly send invitations to connect to your professional contacts. In many cases, this can be done automatically using tools on each site.
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If you aren’t using social-media sites to tap into career and business opportunities in today’s tough economy, you should be. A survey released in January by the Pew Internet and American Life Project found that more than one-third of all Americans now have profiles on social-networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, up from just 8 percent in 2005. And it’s not primarily kids, either: The average LinkedIn user is 40 years old; most Twitter users are now 35 and older; and people from 35 to 54 now represent the biggest group of users on Facebook. “You get access to people via LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter that you can’t get in other ways,” says Sharon Rich, founder of outplacement consulting and coaching firm Leadership Incorporated. “I think it’s mandatory to be on there.”
Social-media sites can become a time suck, so you’ll need to limit the time you invest in them each week. But done right, social networking is a powerful way to build your professional reputation, find out about job opportunities, and keep abreast of the latest news and gossip in your industry.
Build a Powerhouse Profile on LinkedIn
LinkedIn’s business-only focus makes the site popular with successful professionals (so far, the site has 43 million members in more than 200 countries), so it’s the best place to start your social-media push. LinkedIn’s large amount of traffic also means that your profile there is likely to be the first thing that potential employers and clients see when they google your name, so it’s important to invest some time in building a strong profile. “Why not tell the story your way?” says Randy Hain, managing partner of Bell Oaks Executive Search in Atlanta. Hain knows firsthand the value of a good profile: He recently signed a client (who will do an estimated $100,000 to $200,000 worth of new business this year) when the client searched for Hain’s LinkedIn profile after reading an article he wrote in a trade publication.
Checklist
How to Shape Your Personal Brand on LinkedIn
- Seek out recommendations from past bosses, key clients, colleagues, and direct reports to create a 360-degree picture of your strengths. Tell them that you’ll be happy to do the same for them.
- Instead of a generic job title at the top of your profile, such as “Owner of John Doe and Associates,” use a short description of valuable credentials that you can quantify, such as “20-year veteran of $100 million in high-tech mergers,” advises Chris Muccio, author of the book 42 Rules for 24-Hour Success on LinkedIn.
- Fill out the “Interests” section with pursuits, such as charitable projects, that reinforce your value to potential employers and clients.
- For consistency and branding, use a good head shot of yourself as your photo, and use the same photo on other social networks, advises Megan Hendricks, director, employer relations at the College of Business at the University of South Florida.
- Opt for a free vanity address for your profile that uses your full name, such as linkedin.com/in/janedoe, so colleagues can find your profile easily.
This Weeks Hot Jobs
For more information about any of the jobs listed below, including how to apply, please register or login as a job seeker with the Maryland Workforce Exchange at www.mwejobs.com and enter the corresponding job order (MD) number. |
| Extension Director Frederick, Maryland Directs/manages overall operations of the designated extension sites with the primary concern for programs and service delivery, supervision and training of staff, facilities management, community relations and membership administration. Successful candidate will have: strong communication skills, both oral and written with the ability to recruit, train, supervise, and motivate staff. Ability to deal effectively with members including discipline problems. Working knowledge of budget preparation, control, and management. Skills in fund-raising events. Demonstrated ability in working with young people, parents and community leaders. Salary: $29,000.00 per year. Qualifications: Four year degree from an accredited college or university, or equivalent experience. Five years work experience in a Boys and Girls Club or similar organization planning and supervising activities based on the developmental needs of young people, or equivalent experience. To Apply: Visit www.mwejobs.com for additional details. The job order number for this position is MD0682534. Employer will be conducting on-site recruiting at the BEC on August 5, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. |
| Administrative Support Frederick, Maryland Salary: $12.00 per hour. Qualifications: High School Diploma or General Equivalency Degree. Must have mortgage experience, computer skills and strong attention to detail. To Apply: Visit www.mwejobs.com for additional details. The job order number for this position is MD0133078. Call for instant consideration! 301-663-0130 or email cover letter and resume to: Frederick3@SparksHR.com. |
| Director of Operations Frederick, Maryland Local company is seeking a Director of Operations to develop and communicate the organization's vision. Model and implement corporate mission and motivate District Managers, Franchise Business Consultants and franchise owner/operators toward achieving area and company goals and objectives. Utilize team building and leadership skills to develop a team relationship between company and franchisees. Successfully promote and enforce company policies, procedures, ideals and concepts. Salary: $90,000.00 per year. Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree and/or and ten or more years progressive managerial experience in the hospitality/restaurant industry. To Apply: Visit www.mwejobs.com for additional details. The job order number for this position is MD1071784. |
| Operations Processor Frederick, Maryland Looking for highly motivated, energetic individuals to work as Operations Processors for one of our top Mortgage Clients. Applicants must have strong computer skills and good communication skills. Duties may include: receiving and reviewing incoming work, contacting appropriate resources as needed; entering transaction into PC, verifying accuracy; balancing general ledger accounts; resolving customer issues using multiple resources and records; preparing, editing, distributing, and/or correcting specialized and/or complex documents. Candidate could be required to work mandatory overtime. Salary: $13.00 per hour. potential. Health benefits offered. Qualifications: High School Diploma with two years Customer Service Representative experience. To Apply: Visit www.mwejobs.com for additional details. The job order number for this position is MD0398252. |
| Driver/Messenger - Armored Car Clarksburg, Maryland A fast-paced and growing armored car company is looking for Full-time and Part-time Driver/Messengers for their Clarksburg, Maryland facility. The selected employees are responsible for the transport of coin, currency, and other valuables. Issues and receives receipts of confirmation from customers to verity transfer of valuables. Heavy lifting required (50+ lbs), CDL a plus but not required. Training will be provided. The qualified candidate must be eligible to obtain a firearms permit and CDL Class B within six months of date of hire. All positions are armed. Great benefits package. Salary: Competitive Salary. Qualifications: High School Diploma or General Equivalency Degree, or four years industry related experience. Must be at least 21 years of age with a valid driver license. Extensive pre-employment background checks, physical exam and other testing required. EOE Drug Free Workplace. To Apply: Visit www.mwejobs.com for additional details. The job order number for this position is MD0952490. Employer will be conducting on-site recruiting at the BEC on August 7, from 10:00 to 12:00 p.m. Issue #64 |
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