Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of meeting Shama Kabani, a brilliant and personable author who has written the new book, The Zen of Social Media Marketing. I asked Shama about her best tips about social media marketing for the career-minded individual, and here’s what she recommended we focus on:
Purpose: Build your personal brand with purpose. Want to be the next CFO? Build your profile AS a future CFO. Tweak your profiles to show your interest within the area. Before you write a status update, ask yourself – “Does this showcase my brand as an authority in the area and does it provide value to my network?”
Content: Your personal brand is defined by what you
say online – and how you say it. If you are looking to build your expertise in
a particular field, you must create compelling content and distribute it using
the medium of your choice – blogging, video, or audio.
Community: How do you know you have a solid personal
brand? When it has attracted a community around it. Employers look more and
more at an individual’s social capital. Want to lead the PR department? It
helps if you have relationships with bloggers and participate in social media
channels.
I especially like this third point. Anyone who wants to work in the
communications field today must have a working knowledge of – and comfort with
– social media. It’s no longer a
specialty or a unique skill – it’s expected.
So if you’re job searching and are not certain that your social media
savvy is up to par, consider picking up Shama’s book or Chris Brogan’s Social
Media 101.
Love the term "social capital." My favorite is #2, content. I think that in order to position oneself for future opportunities, you have to create content (or curate content) that matters.
Posted by: Ted | June 01, 2010 at 12:38 PM
Can't agree with you more. While I am able to help clients with their resumes, they have to learn how to expand their reach and social media is the way to go. As long as they take care of their online persona (which everyone, even hiring managers and employers) will perceive to be you whether you are in or out of the office, social media can be a very powerful tool in making their job search a successful one.
Kare, The Resume Chick (on Twitter or Google if you need more info)
Posted by: Karen | June 01, 2010 at 03:19 PM
I like the phrase Ted uses in the first comment, "curate content". I think that approach is a great idea for those just getting their feet wet in social media.
For a job hunter not familiar with social media the idea that they have to start producing blog posts or videos might seem overwhelming.
Starting them out with a Twitter account where they can filter and present relevant information they collect to benefit their niche can be a great first step.
Posted by: DC Jobs | June 01, 2010 at 04:18 PM
Social media savvy certainly is expected. This week, for the first time, I was asked by a potential employer about my online "reach."
Thanks for the tips. I'll definitely pursue these links to learn more.
Posted by: Chelsea | June 02, 2010 at 04:43 AM
Love your content. Wish your site had more pleasing aesthetics and a more visually developed About section with contact information though. Generally I skip over sites whose design turns me away, but I found your article via a tweet from someone I consider reputable, so I read on. Are you in the works of vamping up your design?
Thanks.
Posted by: Charissa | June 02, 2010 at 07:49 PM
@Charissa: Funny you should ask - yes! Look for a full redesign in early 2011.
@Chelsea: Online "reach." Love it. Those terms used to be reserved for marketing people. Not anymore!
@DC: I like the idea of starting out with Twitter. Seems more manageable.
@Karen: Where do you advise clients they should place their resumes online?
@Ted: I also like the word "curate" because that's exactly what we're all doing here.
Posted by: Alexandra Levit | July 05, 2010 at 02:20 PM
Social media is also a good source of different online and freelance jobs that advisable for job seekers, you can used Facebook and Twitter to look for some online job opportunity by doing Facebook marketing and Twitter marketing.
Posted by: Stephanie | September 13, 2011 at 02:18 AM
Well, it is not a bad idea for job seekers to use social media channels to boost their chances on getting hired. In fact, this will give them an advantage over other candidates. For one, using social media is one of the best ways to create and build connection. Once you are connected with people in different industries, you will know the right people that can help you scout a job. And the platforms can also help you to advertise yourself creatively. You can express yourself, and at the same time promote yourself to your future employers online.
Posted by: Darryl Tay | December 18, 2012 at 05:47 PM