Using Online Networking Effectively in a Job Search

Presented by:Colleen M. Soto, M.A., Assistant Director

Keidra Chaney, M.A., Emerging Media SpecialistOffice of Alumni Relations & Advancement Communications

Career Week 2009

Overview

• Types of Online Networks• Getting LinkedIn with DePaul Connections• Do’s and Don’ts• Q & A and Contact Information

Why is Networking Important?

• According to a recent survey of the Department of Labor, networking accounts for at least 85% of all annual hires.

• Networking is an essential component of every job search.

• Throughout your life you will make networking contacts that develop into relationships including friends, colleagues, and professional prospects.

Career Week 2009

Career Week 2009

Why Social Media ?• Community-driven websites

– Share information/content– About building relationships

• 4th most popular online activity– More popular than email– Visited by 67% of the global online

population – Almost 10% of all Internet time

Source: PDF, Nielsen Online, March 2009

Be Smart!When you join any social network you are giving up a level of your privacy, but you can safeguard yourself.

•First, make a decision whether to keep Facebook social or to expand•Take a close look at your profile and decide what you want business contacts or prospective employers to see - and what you don't.•Set privacy filters, so that friends/family and work colleagues won’t be getting the same information.•Limit posting of personal pictures on your Facebook profile.•Keep your personal contact information hidden, or create a social media-only email to post on Facebook.•Choose your Facebook friends wisely.

Career Week 2009

Career Week 2009

Key Points of Interest for• Employer Information• Informational Interviews• Job Postings• Professional Mentor / Advisors• Professional Groups & Organizations

• www.linkedin.com– Result Driven Searches

• Classmates / Alumni• Colleagues• Professional Organizations

LinkedIn DePaul Alumni Group

• More than 4,700 members • Averages 100 new

members weekly• Active job posting, news and

discussion boards

Tips for LinkedInBe Thorough: A partially written profile won’t tell employers all that you can do.

List your full name: Fears of privacy invasion are warranted, but if you don’t list your name recruiters and potential employers can’t find you.

Network: Take advantage of mutual connections. Introduce yourself to your contacts’ contacts

Join Groups: There are hundreds of groups geared toward professional fields and interests

Get recommendations: Well written, positive recs can enhance your profile and adds credibility

Career Week 2009

The next big social media tool for professionals

• “Micro blogging:” short messages (140 characters)• Similar to “status updates” on Facebook• Pew Internet and American Life study: 11% of adults online use

Twitter or a service like it• Many consultants and professionals use Twitter to share news,

ideas in “real time”• A communications channel and a social network

Career Week 2009

• Get connected with colleagues through Twitter directories

• Share ideas/knowledge with your professional network.

• Share/discuss breaking news/information by using #hashtags.

• Retweet to call attention to website, blog post, video from a colleague. (Use Tiny URL http://tinyurl.com/ to shorten links)

How to use Twitter for Business*

* Partially adapted from SARAH MILSTEIN’s September 2008 New York Times Article

Career Week 2009

DePaul’s Online Directory

Career Week 2009

Things to Remember about Online Networking

– Pictures– Status Updates– Accepting “Friends” thoughtfully– Groups– Privacy Settings– Announce your job search– Remove profile if you are not using it– Have a professional e-mail address– Blog Smart! Don’t overshare!– Google yourself! Check your online reputation

Career Week 2009

Helpful Social Media LinksTwitter style guidehttp://www.140characters.com/

Twitter directoryhttp://wefollow.com/

Linkedin Blog: Daily tips on networking via Linked Inhttp://blog.linkedin.com/

Demon Tracks Blog (DePaul Alumni Blog)http://depauldemontracks.blogspot.com

Contact Info and Q&AColleen M. Soto, M.A.Assistant Director, Career & VolunteerAlumni RelationsDePaul UniversityP: 312-362-5593csoto4@depaul.edu

Keidra Chaney, M.A.Emerging Media Specialist Office of Advancement CommunicationsDePaul University312-362-6354kchaney1@depaul.edu

Career Week 2009