Turn Your Facebook Page Into a Job Hunting Asset

Today’s job hunters face incredible challenges. Thousands of positions are slashed every week, making employment competition tougher every day. Everyone needs an edge that will pull him or her ahead of the pack. The first rule of job-hunting is to ensure that you put your best foot forward, on paper and in person. But in addition to presenting an impeccable resume and impressive portfolio, job hunters today have to concern themselves with how their personal lives are portrayed online — information that for many is readily available on multiple websites.

Social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace offer potential employers windows into the private lives of job hunters like never before. Most job counselors would advise you to take down personal pages, as they can only hinder your chances of getting hired. But in an ever-changing economy and working environment, why not use such sites to your advantage?

Here are six ways social networking sites can boost your image, your job opportunities and ultimately your bottom line:

1. Market yourself to employers. Delete any compromising photographs of you and your friends, and tailor your page to portray yourself in a positive light. Maybe that means posting a G-rated photograph of your family on vacation, or an image of you pitching in at the local community service project. Employers prefer well-rounded candidates, so put your many dimensions on display.
2. Make your page an online portfolio. Have you been featured in a news article? Are items you’ve authored or designed available online? Post your online accomplishments on your page so employers can see all you have to offer.
3. Use the “About Me” section for your best sales pitch. Employers don’t need to know how you like to spend your Saturday nights. Instead, treat the “About Me” section as valuable real estate; use it to your advantage. Write a summary of your accomplishments and goals.
4. Inform your friends that you’re on a job hunt. Ask them to refrain from posting objectionable material on your page, or to avoid making public references to your drinking habits.
5. Keep your work and contact information updated. Make yourself as available as possible to employers.
   
6. Join a social networking site dedicated to making career connections. Sites like LinkedIn.com are dedicated to maintaining and expanding business contacts. The site also hosts job listings.

Tags: facebook and job hunting, job hunting tips

This entry is filed under Personal Finances, Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.