Social media participation is an essential tool in networking with professional contacts, making new contacts, recruiting employees, and keeping in touch with the world. If you’re not participating in the top social media and networking sites, the world is leaving you behind. Why not become involved on the social media Web sites while your participation can advance your career, help you obtain superior employees by enlarging your candidate pool, and enable you to easily stay in touch with coworkers and former coworkers at one location.
You will need to explore the possible social media sites to see which sites fit your need for participation. Some sites specialize in certain industries and on specific topics. Some even focus on networking within regions and nations. I have profiles and participate in some activities on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.Social media sites are a critical component of professional networking going forward. These ten reasons support your time investment.
- Stay in touch. If, like me, you have “lost” people over the years, look them up on the popular social media sites. You may find them. And, if your whole network is profiled and linked, you’ll never lose them again.
- Be found. I can’t tell you how many former colleagues, friends, and associates have found my profiles and contacted me. Just recently, one of my best friends from high school, whom I sought for thirty years, found me online and called.
- Find candidates for jobs. You can email your network with job requirements and ask for referrals. Tap into the power of your current employees’ networks by asking them to broadcast available positions to their networks. This is one of the top ways to find passive candidates, people who may not currently be actively seeking work. Search on keywords to expand your contacts even beyond your network. As an example, here’s how to use LinkedIn for recruiting.
Develop a recruiting network for employees with skills that will become increasingly scarce. Especially as the boomers retire or seek part-time opportunities, determine where you will find the employees with technology, medical, and quality skills, as examples, that your organization will need. Various social networks exist for a variety of career fields.
Plant your foot firmly in the social networks that will provide the future employees for your organization. Seek the assistance of your current employees, too. They may already be networking on these sites – or they may be interested in helping you find the kind of people with whom they want to work. - Find a new job. Desire to move on from your current employer for whatever reason? Use social media sites to assist you in your job search. Everything recommended for recruiting candidates is recommended for your job search.
- Establish your online brand. Who are you? What expertise do you have? What do you want to be known for accomplishing. The information you put in your profiles will eventually serve you well or not at all. When a potential employer or a potential employee “googles” your name, will the employer find the credentials of a proficient professional? You want to establish an online image before you need it. Establishing this image can take awhile. Why are you waiting?
- Join groups that share your interests, your community, or your profession. Facebook, as an example, allows you to create groups. I’m a member of the job searching group and other members point me to interesting online articles. Following people on Twitter also yields content recommendations. Twitter groups are increasingly scheduling in-person meetups so that people who are interacting online can meet face-to-face. The mid-Michigan group is planning their next meetup. If you attend conferences or trade shows, Twitter is a great way to schedule get-togethers.
The next four reasons to participate in social media are big...
