How to Network Using Social Media: U.S. News & World Report Story

By Kevin Donlin,

Just found this story in last week’s issue of U.S. News & World Report:

A 2010 survey of 600 human resources professionals and recruiters by Jobvite, a recruiting software company, found that 83 percent of firms planned to use social networks to hire this year. With HR going digital, job search experts agree that social media are vital, starting with LinkedIn. “If you’re not on LinkedIn, you do not exist to recruiters,” says Kevin Donlin, co-director of Guerrilla Job Search International, who adds that a completed bio and a professional-looking picture are essential.

Also:

Once you’ve established an online presence, reach out to relevant contacts. Interest or alumni groups on Facebook or LinkedIn offer easy ways to find people in your field and location. Use Twellow.com, the Yellow Pages for Twitter, to search for “marketing director New York,” for example. Then identify the person with the most followers and make a connection.

And, the final paragraph:

Keep the goal of social networking in mind: offline meetings. Ask connections to join you for coffee or to chat by phone so you can learn about their companies or solicit advice. Don’t just ask for a job, though, Donlin warns. As the adage goes, “Make a friend before you make a sale.”

Key points:

1) If you’re not on Linkedin, you don’t exist to employers and recruiters.

2) Always aim to turn online contacts into offline meetings.

3) Make a friend before you make a sale — never ask for job openings directly when first meeting a potential hiring manager or ally at a company you want to work for.

Kevin Donlin is contributing co-author of “Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters 2.0.” and “Guerilla Resumes“   (Which I review here).  Since 1996, he has provided job search assistance to more than 20,000 people. Author of “51 Ways to Find a Job Fast — Guaranteed,” Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, CBS Radio and others.Since 1996, he has provided job-search help to more than 20,000 people. To learn about Guerrilla Resumes and how it could help you, visit his site at www.GuerrillaResumes.com.

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