Interested in getting a job or internship this year? I suspect a majority of Delta Tau Delta men are. If so, it is important to use all tools necessary. Recent surveys of corporate recruiters and job seekers suggest that the trend of using social media in recruiting and job searches has caught on in a major way. In fact, in 2011, 89 percent of recruiters said they used social media to recruit talent, according to Jobvite.com. Of those recruiters, almost 90 percent are using LinkedIn, 55 percent are using Facebook, and 47 percent are using Twitter. One in six job hunters said that social media helped them find employment in 2011, up from one in nine in 2010.
It is clear social media will continue to be a necessary tool to master in 2012. It can be such an advantage to show recruiters who you are, what you do, and what your personal brand is. It does take time and effort, however, to think your online personality. Here are a few suggestions:
- Know where “your people” are. Facebook and Twitter tend to be a good source for identifying opportunities in marketing and advertising. LinkedIn tends to be more popular in the corporate world (although you can find all kinds of connections).
- Go to your affiliate groups. At the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, current students can join the alumni group in LinkedIn, giving them access to thousands of alumni that can be easily searched by location and occupation. Naturally, you should join the Delta Tau Delta group, with over 5,000 members, if you have not already done so. Just as you would be happy to help a brother seeking an internship or considering relocation to your area, others would be happy to assist you.
- Ensure your online profile is clean. Search yourself on Google to see what comes up in the search. Consider making your Facebook account accessible to the “friends only” setting. Know, however, that even if you do that, there are employers that – while rare – find ways to get around that. So keep your accounts clean from the beginning, even if you do not believe it is right for an employer to use this as a screening tool. The fact is that some do, and more are doing so all the time.
Naturally, I would be remiss if I did not use this opportunity to suggest students utilize their career centers on campus. Not only are they great resources for employer connections, but staff members can also help you with the more traditional tools of a job search (resumes, cover letters and interviewing), but they also work hard to keep up to date with the latest recruiting trends. Schedule an appointment if you have not done so already!
Kelli K. Smith, Ph.D. is the assistant director of employer relations of Career Services at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Kelli has 18 years of experience in higher education, and has worked at UNL Career Services since 2000 counseling students and managing employer relations for the department. She in an adjunct faculty member for the Agricultural Leadership, Education, & Communication (ALEC) department, and regularly teaches a leadership class each semester.
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