Their potential to reach large groups of people beyond your close friends and colleagues makes online social networks a job search tool of enormous potential. However, just like any other job search tool, you have to know how to use the social network to exploit its full potential. Here are a few traps to avoid.

Trap 1: Jumping In Without a Plan

More people are using social networking to create career change opportunities. But they’re not all doing it effectively. One of the most common mistakes job candidates make is launching into networking without first thinking through their strategy. Those who engage in this ready-aim-fire behavior blow the chance to make a good first impression.

Trap 2: The Nondescript Profile

The online profile is more than a traditional résumé. It’s a combination of résumé, custom cover letter and elevator pitch. The listing of jobs backs up who you are, what you’re good at and what you’re looking for.

Take a close look at your current online profile to determine if it provides an accurate and complete picture of your skills and qualifications and what unique value you can bring to potential employers. Experts say that in too many profiles candidates don’t clearly communicate who they are and what they are looking for. Oftentimes, they use generic phrases such as “seasoned” or “employable manager” that tells prospective employers and recruiters nothing about who they are.

Trap 3: Not Doing Enough to Help Recruiters Find You

Recruiters are increasing their reliance on online social networking sites to find candidates. The more complete your online profile, the higher it will turn up in search rankings. The profile needs to be written to attract recruiters looking for individuals with very specific qualifications.

Trap 4: Not Thinking Beyond the Profile

There’s more to exploiting social media than just posting an online profile. Recruiters often join online groups to search their directories and find candidates with expertise in a particular industry or topic. To take advantage of this, you should use the social media platform to position yourself as a thought leader. For example, actively contribute to industry roundtable discussions, online chat groups and, of course, forums like SafetyXChange. Try to get yourself quoted by industry sources as often as possible.

Trap 5: Not Recognizing the Difference between Open and Closed Networks

Understand that all social networks are not the same. There are key differences between open networks (like LinkedIn) and closed networks (like my company’s, ExecuNet). Both can help you connect with valuable contacts. But open networks allow you to meet people from various walks of life who you might never have the chance to connect with otherwise, and are thus invaluable for breaking into a new industry. Closed networks offer much more intimacy. Accordingly, networking ties tend to be much stronger among individuals in a closed network.

Conclusion

One more key thing to remember: The operative word in the phrase “online social networking” is “networking.” Although it’s done differently, social networking is still networking and most of the fundamental rules that apply to old school networking apply equally to online networking. For example, assistance must be reciprocal and you must be willing to help others with their careers if you expect them to help you.

Wishing you career success!

Lauryn Franzoni
ExecuNet
www.execunet.com

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