Recruiters are increasingly conducting background checks using popular sites like Facebook. Take down any suggestive pictures of yourself or public commentary about that embarrassing tattoo you got when you were drunk. That`s not the kind of thing that will impress prospective employers. You can control your privacy settings on sites you post content on, but more...

Recruiters are increasingly conducting background checks using popular sites like Facebook. Take down any suggestive pictures of yourself or public commentary about that embarrassing tattoo you got when you were drunk. That`s not the kind of thing that will impress prospective employers. You can control your privacy settings on sites you post content on, but what if one of your hundreds of friends passes something along. Better to be safe than sorry.

Make sure you have a professional personal email. Many social media sites allow you to list your email in the profile section. Don`t take yourself out of the running with an email you`d be embarrassed to have on a business card.
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LinkedIn has the largest database of professionals and attracts a lot of recruiters. Complete your profile as you would your resume with job titles, time frames, and IMPACT-FOCUSED job descriptions. Make sure to use key industry jargon or search terms for the position you’re seeking.

Start connecting. You can do this in several ways: allowing LinkedI more...

LinkedIn has the largest database of professionals and attracts a lot of recruiters. Complete your profile as you would your resume with job titles, time frames, and IMPACT-FOCUSED job descriptions. Make sure to use key industry jargon or search terms for the position you’re seeking.

Start connecting. You can do this in several ways: allowing LinkedIn to check your webmail accounts to see who you know that is already on LI, import contacts from other address book software, invite people directly, search past or present colleagues and classmates

Get at least 1 co-worker or business partner to recommend you. Provide them with key descriptors or terms that reinforce the key traits for the opportunity you’re targeting.

Include the link to your LinkedIn public profile in your email signature. People will be able to easily see your background, figure out who you know in common, and read the glowing recommendations you`ve received for your work.


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Don’t assume your online presence is well-crafted for the opportunities you’re going after. Ask people who know you well for honest feedback.

Create your own personal career roadmap on Gotta Mentor or use email to create your career plan with the 3-5 steps you’re planning on taking to achieve your goal. Share it with 2 or more people and get feedback. more...

Don’t assume your online presence is well-crafted for the opportunities you’re going after. Ask people who know you well for honest feedback.

Create your own personal career roadmap on Gotta Mentor or use email to create your career plan with the 3-5 steps you’re planning on taking to achieve your goal. Share it with 2 or more people and get feedback. The job market is too competitive to wing it.
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The majority of jobs are not posted, and are instead filled through referrals from others. If people don’t know you’re looking, you’re less likely to be contacted about an opportunity. Let people know what steps you’re interested in taking next.

How can you share the word?
- Let your friends know. Send an email with a paragraph highlighting w more...

The majority of jobs are not posted, and are instead filled through referrals from others. If people don’t know you’re looking, you’re less likely to be contacted about an opportunity. Let people know what steps you’re interested in taking next.

How can you share the word?
- Let your friends know. Send an email with a paragraph highlighting what you`re looking for and some of the reasons you`d be a compelling candidate. This paragraph should be something people could forward to others. Ask if there is anyone they`d suggest you talk to. Remember that many people can be helpful with job/company/industry insight and not jobs, so don`t just ask for introductions to people who might have a job.
- Put your objective in your status update on LinkedIn and Facebook. It’s not that common, but people have received job offers or interviews by tweeting that they were looking for a new job or had just been laid off.
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Google people you know at the companies you’re targeting. Have they been quoted in any articles, spoken at conferences? Referencing something personal about them is a better way to start the conversation, but don`t do so in a way that makes it look like you`re stalking them online. Use sites like LinkedIn to figure out if you know people in common. If so, ge more...

Google people you know at the companies you’re targeting. Have they been quoted in any articles, spoken at conferences? Referencing something personal about them is a better way to start the conversation, but don`t do so in a way that makes it look like you`re stalking them online. Use sites like LinkedIn to figure out if you know people in common. If so, get them to put in a good word for you and read the action step on arming those who can help you below to make sure you make the most of that introduction. ...less

Whether you’re using Gotta Mentor, LinkedIn, Twitter or some other platform to find or connect to people, make sure you give the people who can help you the information that will allow them to promote you effectively. If you are asking for someone to make an introduction, in addition to having a complete professional profile, give the individual a paragraph  more...

Whether you’re using Gotta Mentor, LinkedIn, Twitter or some other platform to find or connect to people, make sure you give the people who can help you the information that will allow them to promote you effectively. If you are asking for someone to make an introduction, in addition to having a complete professional profile, give the individual a paragraph with a brief description of relevant background highlighting your impact and any key skills. ...less

Contribute to the conversation. Identify the higher profile, relevant blogs in your target space and monitor these sites. Sign up to have the blogs sent to your email and join the dialogue with comments and constructive critique.

Launch your own blog. Share your insights on the industry and attract people and opportunities to you.

For the more more...

Contribute to the conversation. Identify the higher profile, relevant blogs in your target space and monitor these sites. Sign up to have the blogs sent to your email and join the dialogue with comments and constructive critique.

Launch your own blog. Share your insights on the industry and attract people and opportunities to you.

For the more technically savvy, set up a Twitter account and begin to follow people at the companies you’re targeting. Make sure you have a bio. People you follow receive a message when someone chooses to follow with them. Don’t miss the first opportunity to let them know who you are. Communicate with them occasionally.
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If you have the luxury of time, try to establish some connections with people at your target companies before asking about job openings. The more people know you and genuinely like you, the better advocates they can be. This takes more effort and commitment, but is a great way to highlight your expertise for recruiters.

Be careful. Don`t be too flippant or too casual about your presence online and how you engage others. Social media is a great way to stay connected to people, but it is also very public.