In this era, when the economy is poorly trying to get back on its feet, EI has dried up, debts are rising and hiring freeze prevailing in over 52% of organizations across all industry sections, finding employment is a tough challenge.
Situation is worse as over 150,000 people lost their jobs only within the pharma industry since Jan 2009, the figures are run into multi-millions for all industries combined. And it doesn't end here. Despite, reports being published about situation getting better, we still find that layoffs and no-cause terminations haven't altogether stopped.
Numerous articles often repetitive are posted advising job search strategies, yet my discussions with many job seekers lead me to believe that those postings are merely informative but not effective tools to land oneself a job. Moreover, boot camps and seminars conducted on effective networking charge registration fees ranging between $ 50 to $500. With already tough purse strings causing worry to the un-employed, are these bootcamps that rant only theory, without producing positive job land statistics the best option? In my opinion, certainly not.
The universal rule of mother nature is “Best things always come free. Be it our parents and their love for us, true friendship, air, sun light etc. ”
So, going by the nature's norm, there has to be a free solution to job search issue and social media is one such essential tool for finding employment.
Based on two surveys recently conducted in Canada, only 19% of job seekers are using social networking sites to search for employment. On the contrary, 44% of employers surveyed are actively using social sites to network, recruit and gather information for potential candidates.
Based on the employers surveyed the majority are using social networking sites to post jobs, pre-screen candidates and to network to fill their current openings. Based on this statistical data, 5 top reasons someone looking for a job should add social networking to their job search routine include:
- Post creative updates: Social networking circles e.g. Facebook, are mainly comprised of friends and family members. A top priority should be letting them know you are looking for work, how you are looking for work and asking them for assistance in your search. You never know who they might know that can help you within your search.
- Follow companies you want to work for: For example, on Twitter, you can follow companies. You should do this for two main reasons: a. You will be the first to know about openings within their company before they seek outside assistance to recruit for the position. b. Once you apply and get an interview, they will be impressed knowing that you belong to their social networking group and that you have been aware of the latest updates from them.
- Join groups: Join groups that relate to the type of employment that you are looking for. Post discussions, points of interest and even a professional summary of your background and what you are looking for.
- Ask for connections: for e.g.. LinkedIn, Instagram etc: Ask your primary connections for introductions to their contacts that share the same background or interests as you. If you have 100 primary contacts and each of those contacts have 100 contacts, you have a network of over 10,000 potential people to network with.
- Create a group: Create a group and call it, for example, “Let’s Work Together to Search for Work”. Invite all your contacts that are searching for employment to join and ask them to add their contacts. Before you know it you will have a huge forum of people helping others find employment.
There are more than 350 social media sites available and all are FREE, so, choose whichever is best suited for your profile. Happy hunting, networking.
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