SINCE YOU ASKED: Should I use social media to help with my job search?

Listen: Look at a company's presence on Facebook, follow its Twitter feed, get a feel for what the company is saying, and what people are saying about it. If you actually "listen" to the dialogue, you will get a sense of the culture and pulse of the organization. You can learn a lot through photos, videos, stories and feedback from users. This is a great starting point for your career search that can help form impressions and make decisions.

Engage: People often underestimate social media as a relationship builder. A decade ago, you could only look at a career site, but today it's a two-way street. If you have specific questions, first search for the answers. Never ask a question that can be answered on the company's website. If you send a well-thought-out question, you can usually get to the right place and get a response. Plus, you will get the added value of commentary from other users.

Build Relationships: The whole idea is use conversation platforms to get your questions answered and build a relationship. And the earlier the better! For instance, if you are looking for an internship, consider how many of your friends who have already graduated are out in the workforce and connect with them.

"The whole idea is to leverage your connections as you build relevant relationships."


Steven Ehrlich, Global Vice President, Client Development at TMP Worldwide
Becky Parson, Senior Project Manager, University Relations at AT&T

SIFE* 2011 / Career Connections