Are you in the job market? Sick of every blog-byte cramming
down your throat that you have to get out there and network?
Feel like your traditional networking efforts have turned into a
self-destructive waste of time?
Online Social Networking (OSN), a form of viral marketing, is a
better way to hook up to opportunity. Done right, it’ll do
wonders for your self-esteem and warp-speed your contact
development.
Viral marketing is a marketing phenomenon that’s used to
facilitate and encourage people to pass along a marketing
message. Comparable to throwing a match into a parched
forest, the resulting wildfire rapidly propagates itself as
initial targets pass the promotion onto others. Achieve the same
results through OSN and watch your career search efforts heat up.
Online social networking has the same element of exponential
marketing. Used in a job hunt, OSN by its infrastructure
eliminates many of your hassles of connecting with people of
influence, and vice-versa, but not in the way you think.
Andrea Connell, Director of Marketing for R.L. Stevens &
Associates Inc, http://interviewing.com/ a
leading international career marketing firm headquartered in
Waltham, Massachusetts, explains, “The viral capabilities of
online social networking works best when it’s designed around
your ability to give, not your need to receive.” You’ll reap
better rewards when you share what you know with others and help
them to succeed first and foremost. Focus on their needs
over yours.
A seasoned contributor to several of the popular online social
networks, Connell regularly offers mini-bites of free job search
advice to inquiring minds. Some of those people end up becoming
company clients. “Online social networking is one of many
multiple marketing strategies you should use to expedite your
career campaign,” she says. “When OSN is used simultaneously
with other personal marketing tactics, you position yourself as
an expert in your field and widen your exposure to opportunity
and decision makers.”
Online social networking can build affinity for your talents
or repulsion. Connell relays a story about an aspiring
musician who wanted to maneuver his way into the music world.
Newbie located a high-level music executive on one of the
well-known online social networking sites. He then emailed an
inquiry soliciting advice about how to break into the business.
Mr. Top Dog graciously responded. Unfortunately, instead of
asking a few well researched and targeted questions, Newbie wore
out his welcome by relentlessly hounding the executive. He lost
his golden opportunity to make a favorable impression with
incessant requests for more and more information without
offering anything in reciprocity. Mr. Top Dog, whose executive
schedule did not permit this kind of self-centered babysitting,
finally demanded to be left alone. Game over.
Relational spamming is a complete turn-off to others.
“Don’t bombard any contacts or business relationships you forge
on online social networks with continued requests for insider
info or high-pressure sales tactics. No one likes to be
“forward-sold,” Connell cautions. It’s far better to give than
receive.
Here are nine cool career tips to ensure you’re more than
just a pretty interface while conducting online social
networking:
• Google and find the best and most user-friendly online social
networks
• Create a Profile that self-markets your premium talents and
knowledge
• Don’t copy and paste your resume as a replacement for a OSN
profile
• When building your OSN Profile, be careful in giving personal
information
• Don’t relationally spam others; respect their time and privacy
• Become the “go-to person” by providing useful assistance to
members
• Maintain professionalism throughout OSN communications
• If you have a personal website, “link back” for search engine
optimization
• Make sure your boss or co-workers aren’t on the same OSN if
you’re in a job search
Social networking gives your contact development efforts more
velocity and vitality because it removes traditional
hierarchies. Those who join them are those who want to be
connected to others, including decision makers. And, as with
viral marketing, the more you’re known in these networks as a
consummate, solutions-oriented professional, the greater
likelihood people of influence will swarm to you like moths to a
light bulb.
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