NEW YORK – If you aren’t using social networking sites in your job search, you may be missing out on opportunities.

The rapid rise of social networking over the past five years is nothing short of a phenomenon. In fact, according to the Nielsen Company, the New York-based media conglomerate, social networking and blogs are now more popular than e-mail.

The numbers are astonishing. Again according to Nielsen, two-thirds of the world’s Internet population visit social networking or blogging sites, accounting for almost 10% of all Internet time. “Social networking has become a fundamental part of the global online experience.” John Burbank, Nielsen Online’s CEO, said.

www.troymedia.com

Although the total number of IT jobs is shrinking due to the recession, some companies are still hiring — and using social-networking tools can help you land those jobs. In fact, being in the IT industry just might give you an advantage over the average laid-off worker.

That’s because social networking Web sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter are foremost among those new tools, and IT people are more likely to be comfortable with them and with related technologies that can help in a job search, such as automated scripts, customized search engines, RSS feeds and the like, experts say.

www.computerworld.com

This is a great article with a step by step list to interacting with Twitter career placement tools

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As unemployment continues to soar, job seekers and candidates are pulling out all the stops and doing everything possible to network and look for new opportunities.  This includes using social media and social networking sites as another tool during their search, and while these are not new methods, more and more candidates are getting creative to give themselves an edge.

Twitter, as an example, is getting more and more attention on the hiring scene.  In fact, at a recruiting conference a few months ago, the site was mentioned (in addition to the use of social media and social networking) in almost every session for Recruiters.

Here are 7 ways to use twitter to network your way to an interview or to land your next job.

www.thetalentbuzz.com

Visit Dan Klamm’s Career Blog for College Students

Marie Burns is a job placement expert here in Boston. She has embraced social networking as a tool to connect employers to job seekers.

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It’s been a while since I’ve written…Things got crazy, the economy got crazy – and I had to get creative and use all my time “keeping my job”.  Well, I’m still here, and I’ve found a few things that I’ve pointed job seekers to – if they want to find a job in the latest and greatest “Web 2.0” way.   It’s time to step up and use EVERYTHING you have at your fingertips.  It’s been a tough “job” world out there and because of this, more and more people have adopted multiple methods of looking for their next gig. You can no longer just submit your resume and expect to receive a phone call, unfortunately.  Pull out all the stops, job seekers! Or you’ll get passed up. 

I realized this morning (as I was on ANOTHER phone call) that I’ve had almost the EXACT same conversation with multiple friends/clients looking for jobs.  Each and every time I point people in the same direction….

CONTINUE READING LivingLifeToTheMax

A really great resume – one that captures attention, gets interviews, and lands jobs faster – has always been all about differentiating that job seeker and their promise of value from others competing for the same jobs.
Personal branding is the best career marketing tool today to get you there. And branding generates the kind of chemistry that helps hiring decision makers pre-qualify you as a good fit and sound hiring investment.
If you need help uncovering and building your personal brand, see my post The Personal Branding Worksheet.
Resumes these days often take the form of an online profile or part of an online career portfolio. Whether online or on “paper”, follow these 7 tactics to brand and power up your executive resume:

www.Brand-Yourself.com

Kris Plantrich, a certified career coach and owner of Resume Wonders in Ortonville, is a busy woman.

The scarcity of jobs in Michigan is bringing her customers willing to pay $350-$600 to help them stand out among what could be thousands of applicants for a single job.

“There are jobs out there — but you have to be really aggressive,” Plantrich said.

The task may seem daunting, but Plantrich said you can distinguish yourself from the pack to land that all-important first interview.

• Go digging. Seventy percent of jobs are not advertised, Plantrich said, so use your networks. Call former coworkers and other business contacts, talk to parents at your child’s school, chat with people at church, research companies online and send résumés to key personnel.

Continue reading at www.Freep.com

Who Should Attend:

* Job seekers who want to understand the techniques,
game plans and strategies to be competitive
* Recent grads, college seniors or seasoned professionals
interested in marketing, media, planning, sales, web
design and development, creative, SEO, information
architecture and more
* Employers who need to scout the best talent on the field

APRIL 16TH, 2009

Twitter is a fabulous web tool for networking and expanding your contacts base. Job searchers can also use Twitter to learn about new opportunities and get the word out about their own services and portfolio. Read below for 50 terrific Twitter tips and tools for the job hunt.

Branding

Make sure your online brand is focused, clean and effective.

1. Use your real name: Use your real name, first and last, on your profile.
2. Create an easy-to-remember Twitter name: If you use a silly nickname, employers won’t take you seriously.
3. Put up your website: Add a link to your professional website, or a site that features samples of your work, to your Twitter profile.
4. Offer valuable content: If you only post inappropriate YouTube videos, employers will wonder if you have anything valuable to offer.
5. Avoid Twitter spamming: Adding new tweets every 5 minutes is annoying and makes others want to un-follow you.
6. Add a photo: Upload a professional looking photo to add legitimacy to your account.
7. Customize your profile: Customize your profile using a clean, attractive design that will set you apart.
8. Design with a theme in mind: Understand how elements like color and design work for you and against you. Pick a theme that really works with your brand, or just put up your logo.
9. Don’t act desperate: Tweeting too often, posting your resume five times a day and blatantly asking for interviews will make you seem scary even from cyberspace.
10. Tweet, then follow: Don’t start following a bunch of people when you first sign up, before you even start tweeting. Smart Twitter users will be more likely to follow you if you clearly have something to bring to the table.

CONTINUE FOR 20-50 HERE

View our Exhibiting Companies Here!

The Digital Combine: The Next Generation Employer and Talent Showcase

Job Seekers: Click here to register as an attendee.

At this event, participating companies have the opportunity to showcase their capabilities, and talk to current or future individuals in the digital industry. Job seekers have the opportunity to attend a series of afternoon panels designed specifically to educate them with the skills they need to stay competitive in today’s market.    

Who should attend:

• Job seekers who want to understand the techniques, game plans and strategies to be competitive 
• Recent grads, college seniors or seasoned professionals interested in marketing, media, planning, sales, web design and development, creative, SEO, information architecture and more
• Employers who need to scout the best talent on the field 

Schedule of Events:

12:00pm – Registration Open

1:00pm - 5:00pm - Company Showcases/Educational Sessions/Resume Review 

4:30pm - Registration Close

5:00pm – Event Close

Sessions:

1:00pm – 2:00pm

• Opening Session: What is the Digital Industry? An Overview of the Interactive Ecosystem

2:00pm – 3:00pm

• Building Your Personal Brand
• Interview Tips & Techniques

3:00pm – 4:00pm 

• Social and Online Networking 
• Positions in the Digital Industry: The Opportunities, Skills, and Experience Needed

4:00pm – 5:00pm

• Closing Session: Speed Networking
  

Employers:
A limited number of sponsorship opportunities and company showcase packages are available. To qualify to exhibit, companies must be MITX members and looking to fill interactive advertising and marketing positions.  If you are an employer interested in showcasing at the combine, please email Jaime Reynolds at jaime@mitx.org. 

Click here to register as an attendee.