Just in case you hadn’t heard, employers and recruiters are looking for talent online- through social networks and online searches. Can they find you? Will it be the right you?
With a little savvy, strategy and creativity you can own page one of search results, which is, by the way, what you want to achieve!
In case you were wondering, I am not talking about putting your resume online. That isn’t good enough. You need to do more to showcase your knowledge and personality- it is called social proof and this is what convinces people you are interview-able and perhaps hire-able. If recruiters just wanted to search a virtual stack of resumes, they could search on job boards. We’re moving beyond that now. In 2012, 92% of companies surveyed indicated they would be recruiting from social networks. Companies like Jobvite and Bullhorn Reach are playing in this space to meet these new recruitment trends.
Some of you may be ready to close this post because you are happy running low under the online radar. You are probably the same people who said “who needs this new-fangled thing called the internet anyway?” Whether you like it or not, social is changing how employers find talent, so I encourage you to think again and read on!
Time Commitment
This list below may seem overwhelming at first glance, don’t worry. You may already be using some of these social networks and you may only need to spruce them up a bit. If you are not using some of these social outlets, they don’t require daily or frequent updates. They exist and serve as online content referencing you so that search engines and recruiters can find what you want them to find.
Go Google Yourself
Before you do anything, search for your name using Google, Bing and Yahoo. Your past searches may influence your search results, so be sure you log out of your browser or account, if you have one, and clear your cache. This will ensure you see the same results others would view if they were searching for you. Type your name in the search box using quotation marks like this “Jane Doe.” Where does the right reference to your name appear in the search results? Your goal is to develop numerous references to the best content about you on the first page of search results.
Ways To Get Found Online
You can play a significant role in creating the right first impression online, if you take a proactive approach. The sites mentioned below already have high ranking search engine status and this gives you the power to elevate your name!
Leverage LinkedIn
If you have a LinkedIn profile, it will usually appear on the first page. However, if you have a common name, the results may not point solely to your profile. How will someone researching you know which profile is yours? If you haven’t already customized your LinkedIn profile URL (vanity profile), be sure to do so using the name people would search for you by. Also incorporate the right keywords in your headline, summary, and expertise sections. These keywords are specific skill sets recruiters would use to search for candidates. Here is a 20 Point Check List to make your LinkedIn profile more awesome.
Amazing Amazon
If you are an avid reader or just want to showcase what you have read, consider writing a customer review on Amazon. Select a book that is relevant to your work or industry, demonstrate your strong writing skills and by all means, complete your Amazon profile information.
Create A Social Resume
A Social Resume is certainly an option and if you have a LinkedIn profile, it is even better.
This is an area I am pretty excited about and monitor closely. You can read more about online reputation management here and you can check out the infographics I’m collecting and sharing on Pinterest.
Hannah Morgan speaks and writes about job search and career strategies. She founded CareerSherpa.net to educate professionals on how to maneuver through today’s job search process. Hannah was nominated as a LinkedIn Top Voice in Job Search and Careers and is a regular contributor to US News & World Report. She has been quoted by media outlets, including Forbes, USA Today, Money Magazine, Huffington Post, as well as many other publications. She is also author of The Infographic Resume and co-author of Social Networking for Business Success.
