How NOT to Get a Job via Social Networking

Okay, time to get on my soapbox.

Social networking can help you find a job, absolutely. We’ve heard of people using Twitter to find a job. LinkedIn and Facebook, too. Not only can you use social networking to find a job, but you should use it.

But do it right.

There are plenty of articles on how to get a job via social networking. Here’s how NOT to get a job via social networking:

Blank/Incomplete Profile
Seems like this should go without saying, right? If you don’t have a complete profile, how will I get to know you? How will I decide whether to follow/friend you?

“I Need a Job” Bio
Closely related to the blank bio, this is the bio that simply says “I have a degree in __________ and I’m looking for a job.” Hey, guess what — so is everybody else! There’s a million people with the same degree, too. You’ll never stand out with that bio.

Connect But Don’t Engage
Okay, so you used the directory on your favorite social network to find (connected) people in your industry. Great. Simply following/friending someone isn’t enough. First off, they may never notice you’re following them. And if they do notice, they’ll probably forget unless you engage with them on a regular basis. It’s about being top of mind!

Asking for Referrals Before You’ve Earned Them
I’m happy to connect people I know and respect to others in my circle. But sending me one @reply on Twitter and then asking me to refer you to others in my network is like proposing to a girl on the first date. You’ve got to earn my endorsement.

No Blog (Or Other “Content Central”)
Your blog or website is where you can tell your story on your terms. If you don’t have a blog or website as your foundation, the peripherals (Twitter, resume, AIM) are flapping around untethered. Creating a blog is so easy these days, why wouldn’t you have one?

These are just a few of the cardinal sins. Can you think of any others? Connect with me on Twitter and share your thoughts, or leave a comment.

http://publicrelationsmatters.com Barbara

Scott

Thanks for sharing these tips. I especially liked “asking for referrals before you've earned them.”

I'll be sure to pass these tips along to my students at Georgia Southern University.

Barbara
http://www.interfolio.com Frank Fessenden

Great points overall. A complement or substitute for a blog is to have an online portfolio. These are web sites that make it easy for you to showcase your work. There are quite a few out there including one we just launched at Interfolio (see https://www.interfolio.com/product/portfolio/in…)
http://mediaemerging.com Scott Hepburn

Let me know if the students at GSU have any questions. I'm happy to be a resource to you and your students any way I can.
http://www.WebBusinessFreedom.com BrandonUttley

Scott, this is great advice. I especially liked the statement, “Simply following/friending someone isn’t enough.” You can't join sit there and expect anything good to happen–you need to be actively engaged in whatever networks you are part of. And as you said, don't expect instant referrals; they must be earned. Otherwise, you're just a desperate spammer. Relationships are built on trust.
http://mportlandrealestate.com Tyler Portland Real Estate

Great suggestions!
BarbaraNixon

Scott

Thanks for sharing these tips. I especially liked “asking for referrals before you've earned them.”

I'll be sure to pass these tips along to my students at Georgia Southern University.

Barbara
http://www.interfolio.com Frank Fessenden

Great points overall. A complement or substitute for a blog is to have an online portfolio. These are web sites that make it easy for you to showcase your work. There are quite a few out there including one we just launched at Interfolio (see https://www.interfolio.com/product/portfolio/in…)
http://mediaemerging.com Scott Hepburn

Let me know if the students at GSU have any questions. I'm happy to be a resource to you and your students any way I can.
http://www.WebBusinessFreedom.com BrandonUttley

Scott, this is great advice. I especially liked the statement, “Simply following/friending someone isn’t enough.” You can't join sit there and expect anything good to happen–you need to be actively engaged in whatever networks you are part of. And as you said, don't expect instant referrals; they must be earned. Otherwise, you're just a desperate spammer. Relationships are built on trust.
http://mportlandrealestate.com Tyler Portland Real Estate

Great suggestions!
Keeyana Hall

Thanks for sharing! I think it is so easy for some of us to fall into the trap of doing everything you just said not to do. I really liked that you talked about connecting but not engaging. Speaking from personal experience, I think this is where a lot of people drop the ball because they might be afraid of rejection or not knowing what to say or how to connect. I've learned that you just have to go at it. What is the worse that can happen? I will definitely be sharing this with some of my peers; I think we all could use this advice!
Keeyana Hall

Thanks for sharing! I think it is so easy for some of us to fall into the trap of doing everything you just said not to do. I really liked that you talked about connecting but not engaging. Speaking from personal experience, I think this is where a lot of people drop the ball because they might be afraid of rejection or not knowing what to say or how to connect. I've learned that you just have to go at it. What is the worse that can happen? I will definitely be sharing this with some of my peers; I think we all could use this advice!
http://thesteveozone.blogspot.com Steve Olenski

Hi Scott, reading this post, particularly the “Asking for Referrals Before You’ve Earned Them” edict reminded me of something I blogged about back in January and that is the E Generation, The Entitlement Generation as I refer to anyone under the age of 30. Why do I think that The E Generation are the ones predominantly asking for referrals before actually earning them?

Here's the original post below. Thanks.

http://thesteveozone.blogspot.com/2009/01/gener…
http://thesteveozone.blogspot.com Steve Olenski

Hi Scott, reading this post, particularly the “Asking for Referrals Before You’ve Earned Them” edict reminded me of something I blogged about back in January and that is the E Generation, The Entitlement Generation as I refer to anyone under the age of 30. Why do I think that The E Generation are the ones predominantly asking for referrals before actually earning them?

Here's the original post below. Thanks.

http://thesteveozone.blogspot.com/2009/01/gener…
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http://gainfullyunemployed.net Chris

Good point about having a blog. Why wouldn't you? You can start one for free!! Thanks for this post–I have been trying to come up with a strategy to engage potential employers or people who can get me closer to these employers because, frankly, the whole sending in my resume to a company and never hearing back from them is a little disheartening.

My new plan is to just straight cold call every internet marketing company in LA and do it in reverse. Engage on the phone a little, then send in the res so it's just not a piece of paper. But I also need to get a social media strategy going. I guess the first part is finding people who can help and who I may be able to help. Peace!
http://gainfullyunemployed.net Chris

Frank,

You're probably not going to see this comment, but hey maybe you will. I'm curious what your experience has been with interfolio has been like. 20 bucks for a year seems like a pretty solid deal–much better than creative hotlist. I'm also wondering if it would be an effective portfolio service for copywriters and content producers. Thanks man.
http://gainfullyunemployed.net Chris

Good point about having a blog. Why wouldn't you? You can start one for free!! Thanks for this post–I have been trying to come up with a strategy to engage potential employers or people who can get me closer to these employers because, frankly, the whole sending in my resume to a company and never hearing back from them is a little disheartening.

My new plan is to just straight cold call every internet marketing company in LA and do it in reverse. Engage on the phone a little, then send in the res so it's just not a piece of paper. But I also need to get a social media strategy going. I guess the first part is finding people who can help and who I may be able to help. Peace!
http://mediaemerging.com Scott Hepburn

A job search is always tough, Chris, especially in this market. I've done enough job searches to sufficiently hate the process.

Somebody (lots of people, actually) has said that it's a bad idea to build your network at the moment when you need it most. It never works. You can't network your way to a job if you don't have a deep, rich, meaningful network. Build those solid relationships over time…deepen them…nurture them. Do it when you DON'T need a job. Then, when you DO need a job, your community/network will be happy to help you.

Good luck with the job search and best of luck broadening your social media efforts!
http://mediaemerging.com Scott Hepburn

A job search is always tough, Chris, especially in this market. I've done enough job searches to sufficiently hate the process.

Somebody (lots of people, actually) has said that it's a bad idea to build your network at the moment when you need it most. It never works. You can't network your way to a job if you don't have a deep, rich, meaningful network. Build those solid relationships over time…deepen them…nurture them. Do it when you DON'T need a job. Then, when you DO need a job, your community/network will be happy to help you.

Good luck with the job search and best of luck broadening your social media efforts!
http://my-creativeteam.com Harry Hoover

Scott, very good advice. I wrote a post back in January that provides some additional job hunting advice that your readers may find helpful: http://www.my-creativeteam.com/blog/?p=894
http://my-creativeteam.com Harry Hoover

Scott, very good advice. I wrote a post back in January that provides some additional job hunting advice that your readers may find helpful: http://www.my-creativeteam.com/blog/?p=894
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http://seniorexecutivejobs.womansgarden.com/ Senior Executive

I have heard of people attempting to use Twitter for a job search, but isn't that just like creating your own web site? I don't see where, if someone friended me, that I would be interested in giving them a referral. Obviously I wouldn't know them, so putting a reputation on the line for a stranger doesn't sound like a good idea.

One thing to add to your post: watch the background of your pages – inappropriate backgrounds or lack of background or default background could give you negative points.
http://seniorexecutivejobs.womansgarden.com/ Senior Executive

I have heard of people attempting to use Twitter for a job search, but isn't that just like creating your own web site? I don't see where, if someone friended me, that I would be interested in giving them a referral. Obviously I wouldn't know them, so putting a reputation on the line for a stranger doesn't sound like a good idea.

One thing to add to your post: watch the background of your pages – inappropriate backgrounds or lack of background or default background could give you negative points.
http://swingtradingx.blogsome.com Swing Trading

Interesting post. I have stumbled this for my friends. Hope others find it as interesting as I did.