Using Web 2.0 to Land Your Next Job

So much has changed over the last few years online: the rise of the blogosphere, the increase popularity of social media, and the boundless opportunities for networking. One major change has been in the way people search for jobs or even the new tools employers use in their hiring process. Job searches have moved beyond newspapers and phone calls. Monster.com and Craigslist have become default steps to job searching.

Job Seekers online are now moving pass simply submitting a resume and cover letter online and are taking other measures. They are using other online tools to help them land that much needed job in this competitve job market. One popular tool is the use of social networking sites such as LinkedIn, Twitter, MySpace and Facebook. Of the three, Facebook may have the edge in terms of the number of persons who have sought and found jobs. Social networking sites provide a great avenue for people who want to meet other professionals in their field. In turn these social networks, one creates online, can lead to more networking opportunities and exposure for oneself.

Tips on how to be Found Online by Recruiters

Job seekers of the information age are using all aspects of the internet to their advantage. There are many tools out there and in this competitive environment and economy you can not rely solely on traditional ways of job searching to land a job. In order to get noticed you need to utilize the tools of web 2.0 to their fullest.

• Attraction marketing; with this method job seekers create content online or even videos about themselves and their skills on sites like Youtube, Blip TV, and Vimeo.
  Video resumes are still relatively new but will draw attention from recruiters. The best video resumes are short and direct, outlining the reasons to why you stand out above the crowd.
• Maintain a professional profile on social networking sites such as Myspace, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Google Profiles.
• Create a strong presence online. Reach out to the online community by participating in online discussion forums, blogs, etc. Offer advice regarding your particular industry and interests. If you have a blog, that’s great! Start sharing your knowledge and expertise there.
• Use Twitter to your advantage. Tweet that you are looking for a job. Use Twitter Search and Twitter Job Search to look for jobs you’d like to apply for.
• Create meaningful connections through networking sites. As John Guare believes: the world is small and there are only 6 degrees of separation between us and everyone else on this planet. You could be separated from your future job by only 2 degrees but you would never know if you were not active.

Headhunters also use these internet tools as a way to research and investigate a candidate on a deeper level. Many employers also search through their online connections and networks for people with the skills and experience they are looking for. Your online profile could be the determining factor that either qualifies or disqualifies you for a particular job position. In these trying economic times, one can not afford to deny the benefits of social networking.