Getting a Job in this Economy–Can Social Media Help??

I am learning in my PR classes how important social media is–especially in the PR world. I’m learning about blogging, Twitter, podcasting, social media releases, websites like LinkedIn, FlickR and PROpenMic, webinars, etc. I’m understanding the value of communicating with consumers or a target audience through these recources, and how social media is now an easy, efficient, and cost effective way to communicate with anybody–literally. 

However, since I’m a student about to graduate, I’m more concerned with getting a job than playing around with all of the social media outlets. At least that’s what I thought until a few weeks ago, when I realized that I could use these tools to pursue, and possible acquire, a job in PR. In many of my classes, especially my PR classes, I’ve been told, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” When it comes to finding a job, it’s all about networking. But now, social media is a new type of networking, especially for recent graduates looking for entry level positions.

I recently set up a Twitter account. I am currently following 85 people, and 74 people are following me. These numbers raise daily. About 20% of the people I follow are my  PR classmates, the rest are mostly PR professionals who offer great advice and links on their Twitter updates. Through these links I have found various internship opportunities, sites with job offers, and some really great PR tips and advice. Through my LinkedIn networks, I’ve found a number of job listings in some cities I want to live in.

I found a post the other day about how to find a job on Twitter. It gave great advice on how to set up your personal brand, and make your followers, or bosses interested in hiring you, want to hire you. 

It’s important for anybody wanting to get a job in today’s market to make sure they are able to promote their personal brand in any (positive) way they can. That means signing up for things like Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, etc., and publishing blog posts to tell future employers where your interests and passions lie. Personal networking days (in the sense that your best friend’s sister’s boyfriend’s work is hiring) are over–social media networking for jobs is the future of job hunting. 

 

(photo: Luc Legay)