Career Advancement through Social Media

Let’s face facts; career advancement is hard in the current economic climate. Even though unemployment rates have dropped to 7.6% in 2013, there are still a lot of people out of work or searching for new careers. Looking for a new career can be a daunting task. There’s a lot of job resource websites like Careerbuilder.com, Indeed.com, and Monster.com where you can post a resume. With thousands of people applying for the same job, how do you get noticed by employers? Sometimes, you are not even applying directly to the company you are looking to join. Due to time and cost cutting efforts, a lot of companies have outsourced their human resource and recruiting departments to firms who specialize in recruitment. These firms utilize social media to find qualified candidates for open positions. These companies are called Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) firms. One such company is Future Step an offshoot of Korn/Ferry International Executive Recruitment Firm. Future Step offers individual as well as corporate talent recruitment.

 

Keli Morris, Sourcing Recruiter for Future Step says, “A lot of times people apply on job boards and that’s not even the best way to get noticed.” Keli goes on to say networking on social media websites is the best way to get noticed by companies in the career field you might be interested in.  Keli states, “I am almost like a recruiting ninja and I go in undercover. I’m on Twitter and LinkedIn to find people who would fit these jobs I have to fill.”  If someone posts a resume on LinkedIn, joined and interacted with a group related to the industry in question, Keli would send them an email telling them about a potential position and request they send her a resume for consideration. Keli says, “LinkedIn is a great idea. Anyone looking for a job should be on LinkedIn.” “You have to be proactive and make yourself visible.” Keli emphasized how LinkedIn gives you access to the decision makers and even presidents of corporations. She says, “Reach out to these people and let them know you are interested and that you like what they have to say on the message boards and ask if there are any openings.”

Does this process work? Yes, according to recent statistics gathered by recruiting firm Accolo.com. The following chart gives a break down of employment through social media websites:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keli had one last tip for all those using social media to find a position: keep it professional. Keli says: “A lot of companies are looking at Facebook to find out who you are. If you have wild party nights posted, forget it!” “People might want to make a page on Facebook dedicated to their employment search also focusing on what they do and what they want to accomplish.” Great advice from an industry expert helping people ferret through the career maze.