The Undercover Recruiter

INFOGRAPHIC: How Can Facebook and LinkedIn Get You a New Job?

Facebook and LinkedIn are great places to find your next job, more so than you would think. Recruiters use social networks to post jobs, to source for candidates and to network with talent.

Research shows that nearly 75% of companies check out potential candidates on social networks. And they’re not just digging for dirt. More and more, HR execs and recruiters are turning to social networks to scout out promising job candidates, and with good reason.

One recent study by Northern Illinois University professors found study participants could more accurately predict a candidate’s likelihood to succeed in a particular job by browsing their Facebook profile than by evaluating detailed personality surveys.

Another study by professors at Cornell University found that job applicants were less likely to lie about past work experience on their LinkedIn profile than they were on a traditional resume.

Our friends at OnlineDegrees.com have created a useful inforgraphic about how companies are integrating social media more than ever in the job search – and how you can use that to your advantage.

Most recruiters hire through LinkedIn (94.5%), and some use Twitter and Facebook as well (42% and 33%, respectively). See more at How Recruiters Use Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter (Infographic).

So, can your social networks help you land a job? In this infographic, learn how recruiters are using social sites and how you can optimize your online presence.

Jorgen Sundberg

The original Undercover Recruiter, after 7 years in tech recruiting Jorgen now runs Link Humans, a social media marketing agency in London.

Filed Under: Infographic, Job Search Tagged With: Facebook, Infographic, Job Hunting

3 Smart Ways to Brand Yourself in the Job Hunt Process

In a sea of resumes, it couldn’t be harder to stand out than it is right now. While your experience screams, “Hire me!” so does everyone else’s. In today’s job world, it’s a competition about who you know, and even then, the process of getting plucked out of 300 resumes can be an impossible task.

There are a number of ways you can brand yourself to stick out in a crowded stack of resumes. How do you get ahead? Get interactive.

“…The job search techniques of yesterday – send out résumés, search the want ads, and wait for a job to fall in your lap – won’t even get your foot in the door. What you need in order to get a job today, says Jim Kukral, is the courage to put yourself out there and get the attention of employers by trying something no one else is doing.” – RP News Wires

1. Keep a Blog

Blogging has become a popular new form of social media. While blogging has been in existence since the late 90’s, it has become more popular across the board as of late. While many businesses have taken to this medium as a form of social media, you can use it to boost your hiring potential. This shows that you have technical skills with your particular blogging platform and that you are dedicated to your personal growth.

• Focus on a topic you’re passionate about, even if it has nothing to do with the position you hope to get. This reflects your personal brand.

• Consider a number of options ranging from traditional written blog, to short form blogging, or photo blogging.

• Place this in your skills section and hyperlink your URL in.

2. Take Advantage of Google Plus

The social platform created by Google might be your best professional portfolio. With a variety of ways to express who you are, it serves as an excellent way to be your brand. Having a Google Plus account, and using it only for professional interactions, allows you to create the best reflection of yourself.

• Photos: The trouble with Facebook photos is the tagging ability. A survey by Reppler found that 11% of survey participants decided not to hire a candidate because of inappropriate photos. With Google Plus you can place a few simple photos to communicate who you are as a person and keep your St. Patty’s festivities out of the picture.

• Portfolio: Perhaps one of the best features is the portfolio section of your profile. Here you can place links to various places where you or your work has been featured. Whether it’s photographs, blog posts, interviews, etc, being recognized or published is always good.

• Other profiles: Use this link area to send potential employers to networks other than Facebook. Link your Tumblr account, your blog, etc.

3. Create a Video

Whether you’re a skilled videographer or not creating a video of some sort is a smart way to boost your chances of being remembered for the position. Your brand will come through better in video than on paper.

This phenomenon has gained popularity on sites like ResumeTube which allow you to promote yourself via resume video. Beyond.com says, “The use of video resumes is a growing trend used by job candidates to effectively market themselves to employers and stand out amongst other candidates who do not yet utilize this tool.”

If you can’t manage to create a video, utilize another medium such as Prezi. Whatever medium you prefer, remember to:

• Be creative: Don’t simply read your resume out loud, find creative ways to show them your resume. Mashable suggests using the video as a means of showing what you will achieve in the future, not necessarily what you already have. You can sing, act, be silly, whatever fits who you are.

• Make it short: While your video will be entertaining, the employer doesn’t have time to watch a ten minute video. Two minutes or less is ideal.

With the number of qualified candidates growing with each new graduating college class, it’s more important than ever that you stand out in your job hunt process. To do this, it’s smart to brand yourself – give your potential employer something to really remember you by. Be creative, have fun and get the job.

Jessica Sanders writes for lead generation resource, Resource Nation. She gives small business advice on topics such as social media and career advancement. Follow her on Twitter.
Image credit Beth Rankin

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This post is written by a guest blogger. If you are interested in submitting a guest post, check out our Guest Post Guidelines - we look forward to hearing from you!

Filed Under: Job Search, Personal Branding Tagged With: Google, Job Hunting, Personal Branding, video

5 Reasons Why All Job Seekers Need to Have a Work Portfolio

Let’s face it: the old way of job searching is a thing of the past. Answering a job ad won’t get us a solid career anymore. We must go to networking events, shape our professional brand, and prove that we’re the sort of candidate to watch.

In addition to all of these tactics though, all job seekers should have an updated work portfolio in their arsenal. Work portfolios tell the story of you, including where you came from and what you want to achieve. However, apart from the obvious benefits, work portfolios are starting to become the norm and it’s advisable for every job seeker to build one in order to paint the whole picture. Here’s why:

1. Standard resumes and cover letters don’t cut it

Resumes (as well as cover letters) won’t get someone the job on their own. Of course, job seekers need them, but the bullet points and the few paragraphs can’t tell your entire work story. On the other hand, work portfolios allow job seekers to add more to their case, such as previous career wins, specials skills and how they were used, endorsements, etc. Resumes and cover letters can only do so much, so think of work portfolios as picking up where they leave off.

2. The HR department has limited time

If you weren’t aware already, human resource representatives may receive between 200 to 300 resumes per job. Who has time to go through hundreds of lines, dated objective statements, and cover letters that may or may not tell the right story? Not many.

Instead, a work portfolio not only sets job seekers apart from the competition, it does a better job of relaying why you may be right for the job by providing solid evidence as to opposed to beating around the bush about it. After all, you can say you accomplished something, but if you can show it, you’ll be in a better position to land the job.

3. Visuals catch the eye

We live in a world where images, videos, and graphics relay information better than script. Plus, with stacks of resumes on their desks, HR reps and recruiters would probably appreciate something that stands out from the norm.

For instance, if you were part of a successful advertising campaign, showing the copy, images, numbers, reports, etc., would do a better job at presenting your accomplishments than just saying you part of something that worked out in your favor.

4. Sharing current goals and progress is important

Sometimes, it’s all about what you’re working on now. Work portfolios have the ability to share current goals, as well as the progress you’ve made. This sort of real-time sharing also clues your audience in on your current projects, opens up the door for conversation, and shows how you perform on a day-to-day basis, which can tell the HR rep or recruiter a lot about what kind of candidate you are.

5. A work story means something

Your personal work story means something. It shapes who you are as a candidate and shouldn’t be an overlooked factor when applying for a job. Think of it this way: how much of “you” comes off when you send a cover letter or resume? Does it say how you work with others? Can it show what your specialities are to the T? Does it relay if you’ll fit in with the current company culture? Probably not.

A work portfolio can do all of those things since it enhances who you are as a candidate by providing the backstory your audience needs, which not only sets you apart, but also puts you at the head of the line when it comes to getting the job.

What do you think? What are some other reasons job seekers should have a work portfolio?

Morgan Norman is the Founder and CEO of WorkSimple — the Social Performance platform that works the way you do. Designed for individuals, teams, and large organizations, WorkSimple is a better way to share goals, collaborate, get feedback, and get your work endorsed. Connect with him and WorkSimple on Twitter.

photo by: Victor1558

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Filed Under: Job Search, Resume Tagged With: Job Hunting, Resume

The Hunger Games Survival Lessons for Jobseekers

Do you have what it takes to be a victor in your job search?

Like 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who fought her way to victory in the 74th Annual Hunger Games, unemployed job seekers are widely regarded by hiring managers as underdogs in today’s job search. With unemployment at 8.3 percent, the lucky few who are called to participate in a job interview find that they have a lot to prove in the fight for one coveted position.

Let’s face it, in our current economic climate, if you’ve got gaps in your resume, went to a lower-tier school or are too old/young, you are not as likely as other job seekers to be called in for an interview. Job seekers must make sure that the odds of obtaining that interview are “ever in your favor” by using all of the tools at your disposal to stand out to potential employers.

Keep reading for job search survival tips:

1. Volunteer.

Katniss volunteers to participate in the Hunger Games in place of her sister, Prim. She is the first-ever volunteer from District 12, and her selflessness endears her to the Capitol. There is some debate among employers regarding whether or not it pays to work for free, but many experts believe that volunteering at a company provides important connections, experience and encouragement to discouraged job seekers.

2. Become the “Girl on Fire.”

Katniss becomes “The Girl on Fire” after making a powerful first impression with potential sponsors at the opening ceremony of the Hunger Games. An interview is your first opportunity to present yourself to a potential employer dynamically. Make sure that you remain confident and you dress appropriately. You want people to remember you.

3. Shoot a squirrel in the eye.

Peeta can throw a heavy bag of flour over his head as a result of working at a bakery for his whole life. Katniss is an expert with a bow and arrow – shooting her prey in the eye to make a clean kill. Make sure that you, too, are emphasizing your unique skills in the job search. What can you bring to a potential employer that no one else can?

4. Remember they already love you; just be yourself.

Katniss’ mentor, Haymitch, cannot decide how to present her to the public. In response, her stylist tells her just to be herself. As your job search progresses, you may find yourself frustrated by the specific demands of potential employers – and you may feel obligated to start applying for jobs that are not an exact fit for your skill set. Keep in mind that the best job for you is one that is challenging, that makes use of your skill set, and that allows you to learn and excel. Wait for that job – or create it for yourself and pitch the benefit to your favorite companies.

You’ve probably already heard that The Hunger Games grossed $152.5 million during its opening weekend – making it Hollywood’s third-biggest opener of all time. And if you saw the movie, you probably cheered for Katniss as she worked to perfect her image, navigate a seemingly impossible situation and to survive.

As a job seeker, that is the trick to an effective job search – to perfect your image, to cheerfully navigate a seemingly impossible situation, and to survive. May the odds be ever in your favor.

Suki Shah is the CEO and co-founder of GetHired.com, the leading video-based social recruiting platform and job board that is improving the way employers and job seekers connect in today’s digital world. Connect with him on GetHired.com’s blog at Blog.GetHired.com or via Twitter @GetHiredInc.

Image credit Lionsgate

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This post is written by a guest blogger. If you are interested in submitting a guest post, check out our Guest Post Guidelines - we look forward to hearing from you!

Filed Under: Job Search Tagged With: Job Hunting