I was talking with a new client yesterday about today’s executive job search. She completely dismissed social media as “a waste of time”, without any understanding of how and why it works.
I frequently hear the same from executive job seekers who aren’t keeping pace with those who have embraced the latest search strategies.
Does this describe you? If you’re not paying attention to online strategies, you’re missing out on a lot of opportunities.
Recent surveys suggest nearly half of recruiters turn to social networking sites to source executive talent. Many employers also routinely troll these sites.
LinkedIn, one of the largest business/social networking sites, is an obvious addition to your executive job search toolbox. The recruiters and employers you want to attract may already be there.
Basic LinkedIn membership is free. Using your branded executive resume, you can get a branded profile up and running quickly. Chances are recruiters and employers will find you. When they do, they’ll find the kind of information you want them to know about you.
Use LinkedIn to search and connect with leads in companies that interest you, opening you to opportunities in the hidden job market you never would have discovered otherwise.
Start connecting. The more connections you make, the better your chances to be seen and to uncover opportunities.
Get involved in LinkedIn’s Q&A feature. Establish yourself as a resident niche expert by posing relevant questions and answering those already posted.
Along with building your network, your LinkedIn profile is a great way to increase your online credibility and visibility. When recruiters and hiring managers Google you as a candidate, your LinkedIn profile will land toward the very top of your search results, leading them to accurate, on-brand information about you.
Your take-away from this? Get your personal brand and executive resume together and take advantage of various social media to spread the word about yourself.
Need help with all this? Send me an email with your current resume and indicate how you’re targeting your search. We can discuss putting together your executive job search toolkit.
Sarah,
I appreciate your comments.
Thanks for posting the top 10 list and the link to about.com.
Regards,
Meg
Linkedin is really taking off, they just made About.com’s top 10 employement site list too. (alphabetical order)
http://www.careerbuilder.com
http://www.craigslist.com
http://www.hotjobs.com
http://www.jobfox.com
http://www.indeed.com
http://www.linkedin.com
http://www.monster.com
http://www.realmatch.com
http://www.simplyhired.com
linkedin.com and Realmatch.com are the 2 newest additions.
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/joblistings/tp/jobbanks.htm