Boost Your Job Hunt By Mining New Media Methods

Career Management, Interview, Job Search, Resume and LinkedIn

So, you’re recently unemployed and in dire need of a new career. You’re ready to get down to business and start your job search, but what’s your first move?

I’m willing to bet the majority of you would do what so many have done before you: take a seat at the computer, open Google in your browser and type those famous first words into the search bar: “jobs in <insert your city here>.”

By using the Google keyword tool, we can see that in just one month, the phrase “jobs in austin tx” was searched approximately 6,600 times (which doesn’t even include Bing and Yahoo! searches). Now, I’m not sure about you, but if I were looking for a job in Austin, I wouldn’t like my odds in going up against 6,600 other job searchers.

How, then, can you get ahead of the pack and give yourself a massive advantage in finding a career you love? Here are some tips (that I’ve used personally) for how you can use creative digital channels to find the job of your dreams:

 

Let It Be Known

First things first, you should announce to all of your social media networks that you are in the market for a new job. You may have hundreds or even thousands of contacts out there who can’t help you until they know you need help! Do this by posting a simple message on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn saying something along the lines of:

 I’m officially on the job hunt! Please let me know if you or anyone you know is hiring in the <city> area. I have 10 years’ experience in marketing, admin and account services. Feel free to email me at you@youremail.com. Thanks!

It would be foolish to skip this step, as there’s a very good chance that someone in your network is aware of an open job. Now that your colleagues know you’re in the market for a new position, they will be able to send leads your way.

 

Start Job Mining, Not Job Hunting

Job hunting is traditionally a tedious task of writing, rewriting and sending hundreds of cover letters and resumes to companies advertising an opening on a job board. In doing so, you’re competing against all of the other job hunters who are browsing the same listings. Oftentimes when you submit your resume to these job postings, your info is sent (along with every other applicant’s) to a catchall mailbox where all of the candidates will be reviewed at once.

I’ve found some creative ways to set yourself apart by doing some additional work that I call “job mining.”

Job mining involves all of the work that happens after you click “submit” and send your resume to a company. It uses social media and web tools to separate you from the rest of the pack and increase your chances of landing the job you want. Try following these steps to see how job mining can work for you:

 

1. Go onto a site like Indeed.com and search for a job that interests you and is a good fit for your skills.

Only look for positions that would be considered your first choice, as you can always widen your search later. Submit your resume for a position, then write down the name of the hiring company.

 

2.  Go onto your social media sites and post a message to your networks inquiring about the company you just applied to.

The message might read:

Does anyone have a connection over at XYZ Corporation? I just applied for an account manager position with them and was hoping to talk with someone who works there. Any help is appreciated!

There’s a possibility that someone in your network already works for XYZ Corporation and can help you from the inside. Or, one of your colleagues may know a person at that company and can put the two of you in touch.

 

3.  If you do find you have a connection at the company, write a note to them politely ask for their assistance.

The note could read:

Hi Dave,

I received your contact info from our mutual friend Sally Johnson. She mentioned that you work at XYZ Corporation, and I wanted to get in touch to ask for your assistance. I’ve recently applied for an account executive position with your company and was hoping you could pass my info directly on to your HR team. I’ve attached my resume here. I appreciate all of your help!

Now, should Dave forward your info directly into the hands of the HR team, you have gained a second chance at having your resume reviewed. You’ve also shown initiative to the company by demonstrating that you’re willing to go above and beyond.

 

4. If you’re not having any luck finding your “insider” connection via social media, your final step should be to hit up the company’s website to mine for contact info.

Most companies offer an “about us” page on their website that will offer a staff list with email addresses for each employee. Note: Some people advise against following up with this method, but it has worked for me, and I believe it can’t hurt to get your resume in front of another pair of eyes.

 

5. Find the HR contact on the “about us” page and send them an email with your intent to interview for the position you’ve applied for.

Make sure to attach your resume to your email and to thank the person for their time.

 

All of these steps can be time-consuming, and you may not get responses from the extra work, but mining your social media networks and doing some detective work online can be the icing on the cake to help you land the job. There is an immense amount of people in your social networks who are willing to help you if you just know how to ask.

After all, the point of social media is to connect with others, so why not use the technology to find the job of your dreams?

 

John Leo WeberJohn Leo Weber is an SEO Specialist at Geek Powered. Along with his experience in media and technology, he excels at project management, content development and creative design. His passionate interest in entrepreneurs and helping other business owners achieve their goals has made him the perfect addition to the team at Geek Powered. When not at work, you’ll often find John being active in the local music scene, working with his favorite charities, playing trombone in his local honky-tonk group The Down Here Band or stomping around the greenbelt with his dog Birdman.

 

Image: Charlie Brewer

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