Why are we even talking about social media in the context of job search? Simple! Recruiters are using social media to find talent. In fact, several surveys in the last few years point to a very high percentage of recruiters using social media. Adding to this trend, LinkedIn's API has now made it even easier for recruiters to access fresh talent via some powerful recruiting software tools. My philosophy is if you want to make a sale, step into the shoes of your customer. Translation: If you want to land a job, understand how recruiters do their jobs. Then adjust your job search strategy so that you pop up on their radar. The shift here is that LinkedIn's own search capabilities are being used less as more advanced technologies emerge, making recruiting much easier for professionals. If you are still keyword packing, get with the program. LinkedIn is a whole different animal. Keyword packing and most of those SEO tricks for your LinkedIn profile are yesterday's news. There are four main elements that you now need to optimize for. And they are much different then before. (Yes, these are even new updates since my book, Job Searching with Social Media for Dummies came out. 1. For the Passive Search: Bigger IS Better When you look at software such as Bullhorn Reach, you'll notice that primed candidates pop up based on the user's own social network. This means that if you are connected to that recruiter, and you just lost your job, added a hot job title, or otherwise did something to your profile, you'll pop up. Don't believe me? Watch this YouTube video and pay particular attention to minute 1:50. Many of these advanced social recruiting tools deliver search results for the recruiters based on that person’s individual network. Yep. Essentially, if you are not in a recruiter's network, you are not likely to show up in search results. So how many recruiters do you have in your network? 2. Location, Location, Location Another essential factor in whether or not you come up in a recruiter's search is your LinkedIn profile location. It would be a mistake to be too general (like “USA”), but it would also be a mistake to enter your current location if you want to move. If you are looking for a job in Nevada (god knows why!) and you live in North Carolina (okay, lots of sun too), you need to put your DESIRED location in your LinkedIn profile – even though you don't currently live there. Think about how a job board works. You are asked two things: where you want to look for the job and what you want to do. Right? This is exactly how recruiters use their specialized software. They get hired to fill positions, or they are corporate recruiters and are looking for local talent. So they use zip codes to filter names from their list. Be sure your LinkedIn location settings are where you want them to be. 3. Skills to Pay the Bills Did you remember getting an email from LinkedIn a while ago asking you to fill in your Skills for your profile? I'll bet you did, but you probably deleted it with your spam. That was a mistake. Here's why: “Skills” in LinkedIn are set up like tags. You can have multiple skills to tag yourself with, but you can have only one or two industries and only one job title. Many software packages include a skills filter for their LinkedIn searches. Why? Because when a company or hiring manager talks to a recruiter, they aren't always writing clear job descriptions. Often, recruiters have to write or re-write the job description or even guess at what type of person is needed to fulfill a role. So all they have to work with is a list of random skills and they need to go out there and find people with those skills. Remember in the movie Taken, with Liam Neeson? When they kidnap his daughter, he says, "I have a very particular set of skills, skills I've acquired over a very long career." Well, go to your LinkedIn profile and tell the world what very particular skills you have acquired over your career. Joshua Waldman helps frustrated job seekers leverage social media to find work FAST! He is the founder of CareerEnlightenment.com and the author of the new book, "Job Searching with Social Media for Dummies." Sign-up » for his newsletter today and get access to his exclusive training videos for FREE.Read more » articles by this approved career expert | Click here » if you’re a career expertFind out image from Shutterstock
Everyone has heard of New Year's resolutions. You know, those promises we make to ourselves about things we'll do better in the year ahead. Sometimes these resolutions work, while other times we end up with gym memberships we never use! But have you ever heard of a career resolution? It's actually the same thing as a New Year's resolution, only career-focused.
However, with something as important as a career, you don't want to break these resolutions. That's why it's important to keep these goals manageable.
Here are four simple career resolutions that are easy to stick to and achieve.
Be Self-Aware Of Where You Stand In Your Career
BigstockBeing honest and self-aware of where you are in your career is the most important step in making strong career resolutions. If your career is going nowhere and you're unhappy, then it may be time to consider a career change, which will take you down a different path entirely.
But if you're happy and in good standing with your career, it's a lot easier to set goals for the year and build out a long-term career plan.
Find A Way To Grow Your Career
BigstockCareer growth is a very broad spectrum that means something different to everyone. It could be something as simple as improving on a weakness or building on a strength. It could also be learning a new skill or taking on additional responsibilities at work.
On a larger level, it could be seeking a promotion or moving into a leadership role.
Whatever the goal is, make sure it includes growing professionally. The worst thing you can do is stay the same! If you're not growing your career, you're dying—and becoming a lot less valuable to your employer. There are always ways to upskill!
Better Serve Your Professional Network
With current colleagues, former colleagues, and other professional acquaintances, you've probably built a solid professional network through the years. A strong professional network can come in handy if you lose your job or are looking to make a career change. However, you shouldn't just rely on your network when you're in need!
It's important to find ways to offer value to your network. This could include checking in with members of your network from time to time. Exchange messages on LinkedIn to see how they're doing or share relevant content of interest. If you can help someone in your network going through a career challenge, you should!
Maintaining a strong professional network is like an investment. If you want it to pay off, you have to put some time into it and be consistent.
Take Care Of Yourself
Bigstock
Working on your career is hard work! It's okay to be selfish sometimes. Whether you're working to grow your career or looking for a new job, it's important to find balance.
Your family and health always come first, so make sure your career goals don't interfere with that. If you want to set aside time during the week to work on your career that's fine, but don't miss important family events or milestones.
Don't let your career goals get in the way of your health goals. Go to the gym, take a walk, or go for a jog. Balance is key to maintaining healthy career and life goals. Sometimes you just need to adjust that balance as you go.
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This article was originally published at an earlier date.