Socializing Your Way to a New Job
Like so many people facing unemployment in this down-turned economy, the hurdle of finding a new job has grown taller than ever. With job competition intense and layoffs continuing to occur, more and more people are applying for fewer and fewer available jobs. There are many resources out there to aid the unemployed and to help them to get back into paid employment, but finding these resources may be daunting, confusing, and somewhat intimidating. So, what else is there for an unemployed person to do? It is easier than you may think! Be Social.
Yes, it really is that simple. With the new social networking trend the internet has seen in the past five years, social power is more important than ever, and will continue to become even more indispensable in the coming years. This is the time to take advantage of the social internet in a way job seekers might not have considered before. I’m not going to share any secrets of social networking in this article, because there is no big secret. This article is simply meant to inform the reader, employed or unemployed, of the ways that they can increase their internet-based socializing to improve their potential of obtaining a new job.
I have created the list below to emphasize the ways being social through social networking can be beneficial to job seekers.
1. Profession and Industry Awareness: Be "In the know" and find out what is currently happening in your profession and industry. Being up-to-date on what is happening now can give you an edge over others job searching in your field. Your awareness of trends and new technology can directly affect your productivity and your ability to adapt over time. In turn, your awareness will help you to predict where jobs are most likely to become available or to find job openings you may not have otherwise noticed. It may surprise you when the very people that you are socializing with are the employers themselves.
2. Self Appraisal and Branding: A social setting gives you the opportunity to compare your skills to others in order to define your professional self. This may be the most difficult part in job seeking because many people are unable to identify or explain their specific areas of expertise. If you are this type of person, then I suggest you pay attention to how your constituents define themselves and their skills. Once you can relate your skills to others in your field, you will have an easier time finding what sets you apart from the rest. Your expertise or most prized skill may be what gets you a job over someone else. Use your expertise and the type of employee that you see yourself as when creating your own self-brand. This may also fuel and focus your career decision.
3. Related Skills and Industry: If you do find that your skills are lacking in #2, then at the very least you can identify the skills that you need to gain. For those who find their skills more eclectic or varied, this may be the time to seek employment in a new industry. By being part of a social network you will be introduced to outside ideas from overlapping social networks. A manufacturing network will overlap with an engineering network, as well as separate networks for each different manufacturing type. You should know that your skills are not unique to your last employer and that you are much more marketable than you realize. How is that for a boost of confidence?
Whether currently employed or unemployed, make sure that socializing is a priority when looking for new employment. Become a part of social networks such as Facebook or Twitter, or on a more professional level, LinkedIn. Seek out your professional interests and industry on these networks and present yourself, professionally. My advice would be to follow the list from above and begin connecting. Keep in mind that it is not about how many people you know, but who you know and interact with, as well as with whom your connections interact. Also, keep up a marketable professional presence. Your goal is to find new employment and the employers are watching.