Using the Internet and Social Networking in Your Job Search

Using the Internet and

Social Networking in Your Job

Search

What are we doing today?

• Tips on your job search

• Career Sites a/k/a Job Boards

• Social Networks

Find this presentation on our Slideshare.net channel,

ClearedJobsNetor email

rriggins@ClearedJobs.Net

Networking is #1

Social networks

expand your reach

Have Goals, a Strategy and Target Employers

Accomplishments

Not

Responsibilities

Learn from others who have already transitioned.

Learn the language and terminology of the civilian field that interests you.

Apply for jobs only when

you meet at least 80% of the job requirements.

Professionalize your job search

• Professional email address: name + numbers not hotsugarmama@yahoo.com

• Professional outgoing message on cell phone

Career Site aka Job Board

As generic as Monster or as specialized as ClearedJobs.Net

Free for job seekers, paid for by employers

Clearance Level?

Relevant Keywords?

Where are they hiring?

Who is Hiring?

What positions match your skills?

Start with a wide search and then narrow down.

Search with clearance levels lower than your current clearance.

Register on Target Company Sites

Refresh

Log in to sites where you’ve registered at least monthly to “refresh” your account.

Lets recruiters know you are still looking for a job.

Employee Referral Programs

Better hires > everyone wins

“More than 55 percent of our new employees come from referrals from existing employees.

Ensure that a new hire will fit in with our culture.”

Booz Allen Hamilton

1 in 7 Employee Referrals is Hired

1 in 100 General Candidates

is Hired JobVite 2013

Social Media

1. Networking

2. Reputational Tool

3. Great info source

What are hiring managers looking for on social media?

- Professional presentation

- Fit with company culture

CareerBuilder, 6/13

How social media helps job seekers

• Qualifications same as on resume

• Good comm skills / professional image

• Good feel for candidate’s personality

CareerBuilder 6/13

And hurts…

• Qualifications different from resume

• Poor communication skills

• Badmouth previous employer

Take control of

your online brand

Online Reputation Management

• Discover what is public – Google Yourself

• Do you need to change any info?

- Revise profile information

- Create a new presence, should you use a different version of your name?

- Request unflattering content be removed

• Check and re-check privacy settings

Check Images as well

Set up a Google Alert for target companies and to monitor mentions of your name.

Consider setting up a Google profile if you need a more robust online presence.

Solidify Your Online Brand

• Use the same name on all sites, on your resume, cover letter, job applications, email address, email signature, etc.

• Use similar biographic info

• Use the same photo on all sites

• Link your profiles across social media platforms, for example include LinkedIn profile on Facebook profile

What can you do on

•Create profile, upload public resume

•Find contacts and make connections

•Join (or create) groups and network

•Search for jobs

•Research and follow companies

•Provide status updates and share information – showcase your talent to potential employers

Do NOT put your clearance on your LinkedIn profile

LinkedIn Connections3 Degrees of Separation

Customize professional headline for what you aspire to.

Picture in professional attire

Headline describes what you’re looking for

Contact info is complete

What is a “good” LinkedIn profile?

• Summary is a more robust version of your elevator speech – do NOT paste your resume in this section. White space and bullets not paragraphs!

• Experience include key accomplishments and how you impacted the organization

• Complete Volunteer Experience & Causes, Certifications, Education, Skills, etc.

A Complete Profile

Get and give Strategic Rec’s

You accept the recommendation and control whether it’s visible

• Post articles or info

• Comment or respond to posted items

• Gather info

• Network!

LinkedIn Groups

Search Target Companies

Endorsements

Personalize your invitations to connect

Review the LinkedIn profile of an interviewer(s) before you meet them

1. Complete profile including keywords, skills and picture in professional attire

2. Build network by connecting with personalized invitations

3. Join relevant groups and participate

4. Get/give strategic recommendations

5. Research and follow companies; find individuals to help your job search

5 Things You Must Do

News no longer breaks, it tweets.

140 Character news and information feed / email alternative

Why

• Follow recruiters & target companies

• Job postings are tweeted

A Tweet

Profile

Company news, info and jobs

1. Follow/connect with companies you want to work for and their recruiters

2. Use relevant keywords in your profile

3. Establish yourself as a thought leader

3 Things to Do

You never know who might be able to help your job search.

1. Include work info on your profile

2. Follow your targeted employers

3. Let your friends know you’re looking for a job

4. Set up lists of people you share info with friends/others

Active Facebook User?

Not on Facebook?

1. Create a skeletal profile

2. Like/follow companies, organizations and government agencies you are targeting

Profiles, Groups, Discussions and more

www.TFCN.us

This is the best thing that could ever happen here and it is going to be a great networking roup for intelligence careers

www.TheIntelligenceCommunity.com

Over 100 Interviews with Defense Contracting Recruiters and HR Specialists

For your targeted

companies

• Research and follow on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc.

• Connect with recruiters and other employees

Social networking isn’t over

after you land the job

Keep your network intact for the future!

Help Me Help You

Be clear when asking for help

Upcoming Cleared Job Fairs

Apr 3 – Springfield, Va

May 8 – Crystal City, Va

www.ClearedJobs.Net

Thanks for your service!