10 Things You Should Be Doing Now to Prepare for Future Job Search (Web 2.0 Style!)
Jan 16, 2009 Digital Marketing & Metrics, Social Media, social networks
I wonder how Social Media and Web 2.0 will change the way we present ourselves to potential employers. Will the resume be enough to make you stand out in the future?
A few months ago I had the task of going through applications for a Marketing Coordinator who would be working with me until I went on mat leave. I was shocked at the quality of résumé and the lack of personal websites, or participation in social networks. This may be understandable if I were looking to hire a accountant or a trades person – but I expect a marketing professional (junior or senior) to be able to sell themselves – and what better way then using the Internet. Just a LinkedIn account would be a start. In the future, I believe this will be the bare minimum for many positions in the workforce – not just those that work in Creative or Marketing.
Given that the news is sadly filled with layoffs, downsizing, and economic ugliness – what are you doing to ensure that you are “recession proof”? If you were to lose your job tomorrow – what would you do? Would you immediately start furiously writing a new résumé, applying for any and all jobs that you might be qualified for – posted on Workopolis and Monster and then wait, wait, wait for the darn phone to ring.
I was laid off once, and I implore you be prepared. Be ready 2009 style.
So here are the things you need to do, just in case:
Social Network
1 . Network online and offline. Extend your network by connecting with like-minded individuals. Don’t underestimate the power of social networks including Facebook, and Twitter.
2. LinkedIn of course is the obvious choice for business networking. Keep your profile up-to-date, and of course add colleagues, friends and connections to your LinkedIn network.
3. With all social networks share, collaborate and help followers and friends. Post interesting articles (including, but not exclusive to your own), answer questions, and comment on tweets, status’ and posts. Get involved and check-in regularly.
4. Don’t forget social networking started off-line – and despite our dependence on computers you can still get out there and meet new people! Attend community events, professional meetups, conferences, classes and Tweetups!
Create an online résumé and portfolio
5. The problem with a résumé is that it is just a piece of paper. There are no hyperlinks (oh sure you can add them but once it is printed out, or placed in a text only application form…poof it’s gone), there are no pictures, no graphs, no presentations, no videos and no personality. An online portfolio however can be all of that.
Take a look at mine – (a work in progress) at MichelleKostya.com
Be an expert in your field
6. Start a blog. Why not – everyone is doing it! Write about what you love, what you know, and what you wish you knew! Be passionate and personal (eventually people WILL read your blog!)
7. Perhaps you are more of a talker then a writer. Start a podcast and broadcast your expertise. Equipment can be relatively inexpensive and there are a plethora of places you can post your podcast out into the world.
8. Create Videos, E-books, Host Webinars or Guest Post – all are ways to get your name out in your field.
9. Even if you aren’t a blogger consider commenting on blogs (with all the bloggers commenting it is a bit of a echo chamber!). This will help you expand your network, encourage you to read and learn more, and maybe even enhance your confidence and writing skills! Consider using FriendFeed so you can “lifestream” your comments and share your expertise!
10. Get active on industry forums and discussion groups. Help out others…and they may reciprocate when you need it. Ah…Karma.
Added bonus…you could also do this:
job offer t-shirt
Image from Flickr Creative Commons- SocialisBetter
In Summary…
Don’t rely on a piece of paper when and if the time comes that you need to get out there and find a new job. As Dan Udey (@danudey) said in a Tweet to me when I asked Twitterland about the relvence of résumé: “resumes are becoming less interesting than who you are and what you’ve done”.
And, never assume you are safe. When it comes down to it – only you will look after YOU. During a recession – a company will just look at numbers – so sympathy, years, experience, or passion may not help you keep your job. Don’t wait until it is too late to update your résumé, skills and portfolio.
What do you think – are résumés still enough? What else are you doing?
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Tags: blogging, career, facebook, Internet, job hunting, jobs, linkedin, online portfolio, podcasting, resume, social media, social network, top 10, twitter, web 2.0
January 16th, 2009 at 9:10 pm
This is a great post! I just recently interviewed and even though I don’t have a virtual resume my online experience actually hurt me. This confused me but it scared them. They don’t get it but someday they will. Oh, well. I agree with you 100%
Sommer Green & Clean Mom’s last blog post..Ken Cook from the Environmental Working Group on Toxic Chemicals
January 18th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Unfortunately there are still employers who “won’t get it”. Depending on what you do, and how dependent your job is on the web – you may not want to work someplace that doesn’t get it! For example – marketing – I would find it difficult to work somewhere that dismissed the online space.
That said – all of these things I have listed won’t be helpful for all positions – but some can certainly make you stand out.
January 18th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Nice post! I definitely agree (and not just because I am your brother!).
As things like university education – both undergraduate, and post-graduate become more common, I would expect employers to start looking for what else you are bringing to the table – “everyone” has a degree now so what is it that makes you different from the crowd? (especially in a recession period where it is definitely an employers market). Open Source oriented companies such as Redhat, JBoss, Ximian (now Novell), etc were pioneers in this area by looking heavily at your online presence to see what you had contributed to open source as part of the hiring process. It makes good sense, after all wouldn’t you prefer to have someone on your team that was so interested in something that they did it in their spare time? Seems like a situation beneficial to both the employee and the employer.
Jeff Hiltz’s last blog post..Death of DRM?
January 18th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Not all of those things are acceptable yet in my industry. Having an online presence is actually frowned upon as it is thought that vendors could be doing back door wheeling and dealing with us.
Visit me @ http://www.momontherun.net
Mom On The Run’s last blog post..Poll: Which Of These Glasses Look AWESOME On Me?
January 18th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
How about a simple online resume or portfolio? Hard to back door deal a site like this! Your vendors already know who you are – if they are going to wheel and deal you – they would likely do it in person rather than through your CV.
January 22nd, 2009 at 7:11 pm
How to prepare for job search Web 2.0 style http://twurl.nl/rys5pf
March 15th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
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