Using Online Networking Effectively in a Job Search
Presented by:Colleen M. Soto, M.A., Assistant Director
Keidra Chaney, M.A., Emerging Media SpecialistOffice of Alumni Relations & Advancement Communications
Career Week 2009
Overview
• Types of Online Networks• Getting LinkedIn with DePaul Connections• Do’s and Don’ts• Q & A and Contact Information
Why is Networking Important?
• According to a recent survey of the Department of Labor, networking accounts for at least 85% of all annual hires.
• Networking is an essential component of every job search.
• Throughout your life you will make networking contacts that develop into relationships including friends, colleagues, and professional prospects.
Career Week 2009
Career Week 2009
Why Social Media ?• Community-driven websites
– Share information/content– About building relationships
• 4th most popular online activity– More popular than email– Visited by 67% of the global online
population – Almost 10% of all Internet time
Source: PDF, Nielsen Online, March 2009
Be Smart!When you join any social network you are giving up a level of your privacy, but you can safeguard yourself.
•First, make a decision whether to keep Facebook social or to expand•Take a close look at your profile and decide what you want business contacts or prospective employers to see - and what you don't.•Set privacy filters, so that friends/family and work colleagues won’t be getting the same information.•Limit posting of personal pictures on your Facebook profile.•Keep your personal contact information hidden, or create a social media-only email to post on Facebook.•Choose your Facebook friends wisely.
Career Week 2009
Career Week 2009
Key Points of Interest for• Employer Information• Informational Interviews• Job Postings• Professional Mentor / Advisors• Professional Groups & Organizations
• www.linkedin.com– Result Driven Searches
• Classmates / Alumni• Colleagues• Professional Organizations
LinkedIn DePaul Alumni Group
• More than 4,700 members • Averages 100 new
members weekly• Active job posting, news and
discussion boards
Tips for LinkedInBe Thorough: A partially written profile won’t tell employers all that you can do.
List your full name: Fears of privacy invasion are warranted, but if you don’t list your name recruiters and potential employers can’t find you.
Network: Take advantage of mutual connections. Introduce yourself to your contacts’ contacts
Join Groups: There are hundreds of groups geared toward professional fields and interests
Get recommendations: Well written, positive recs can enhance your profile and adds credibility
Career Week 2009
The next big social media tool for professionals
• “Micro blogging:” short messages (140 characters)• Similar to “status updates” on Facebook• Pew Internet and American Life study: 11% of adults online use
Twitter or a service like it• Many consultants and professionals use Twitter to share news,
ideas in “real time”• A communications channel and a social network
Career Week 2009
• Get connected with colleagues through Twitter directories
• Share ideas/knowledge with your professional network.
• Share/discuss breaking news/information by using #hashtags.
• Retweet to call attention to website, blog post, video from a colleague. (Use Tiny URL http://tinyurl.com/ to shorten links)
How to use Twitter for Business*
* Partially adapted from SARAH MILSTEIN’s September 2008 New York Times Article
Career Week 2009
DePaul’s Online Directory
Career Week 2009
Things to Remember about Online Networking
– Pictures– Status Updates– Accepting “Friends” thoughtfully– Groups– Privacy Settings– Announce your job search– Remove profile if you are not using it– Have a professional e-mail address– Blog Smart! Don’t overshare!– Google yourself! Check your online reputation
Career Week 2009
Helpful Social Media LinksTwitter style guidehttp://www.140characters.com/
Twitter directoryhttp://wefollow.com/
Linkedin Blog: Daily tips on networking via Linked Inhttp://blog.linkedin.com/
Demon Tracks Blog (DePaul Alumni Blog)http://depauldemontracks.blogspot.com
Contact Info and Q&AColleen M. Soto, M.A.Assistant Director, Career & VolunteerAlumni RelationsDePaul UniversityP: [email protected]
Keidra Chaney, M.A.Emerging Media Specialist Office of Advancement CommunicationsDePaul [email protected]
Career Week 2009