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falviarbaqueroOne oft-repeated lament is that of ‘how can I keep my Facebook page from being seen by potential employers’? There have been lots of blogs telling students how to increase their privacy settings lest their on-line peccadilloes scupper their chances of finding a job in the currently challenging market. Fewer blogs are educating them about how to use social media in order to find them.
I did however come across a great blog that gave a list of ways to use LinkedIn to find a job. Historically LinkedIn has been populated by professionals several rungs higher on the career ladder than final year students or graduates, and this is reflected in some of the suggestions such as point 2. “Get LinkedIn recommendations from your colleagues”. However ‘colleagues’ could just as easily be replaced by ‘tutors’. ‘lecturers’ or fellow students.
Students and graduates will need to become a bit more savvy about the way they find a job, and this is a great introduction as to how to do it. The advice is still sound…points 10. and 11. particularly so…
10. Find startups to join. Maybe this recession is God telling you it’s time to try a startup. But great startups are hard to find. Play around with LinkedIn’s advanced search engine using “startup” or “stealth” in the keyword or company field. You can also narrow by industry (for example, startups in the Web 2.0, wireless, or biotech sectors). If large companies can’t offer “job security,” open up your search to include startups.
11. Build your network before you need it. As a last tip, no matter how the economy or your career is doing, having a strong network is a good form of job security. Don’t wait until times are tough to nurture your network. The key to networking (or “schmozing”), however, is filled with counter-intuitiveness. First, it’s not who you know—it’s who knows of you. Second, Great schmoozers are not thinking “What can this person do for me?” To the contrary, they are thinking, “What can I do for this person?” For more on schmoozing, read “The Art of Schmoozing.”
