Do you keep track of your online profile? Just as tracking your credit rating is key for learning what people might uncover about your financial history, it’s also important to know what people may find out when they Google your name. Consider tying it all together with a site such as Flavors.me. [Read more…] about With social media, you decide what others find when they Google your name
JobAngels: A Twitter phenomenon helps job seekers
“It is the one certainty in today’s environment – change is inevitable. Dynamic market conditions necessitate the timely and continuous deployment of thoughtful strategies and approaches.”
It doesn’t surprise me that these sentiments lead Mark Stelzner’s business site.
If you haven’t heard of Mark, you’ll be interested to know that he is a human resources consultant who, while pondering the excessive number of layoffs and out-of-work people who could benefit from resources and support, sent out a tweet that started a fast-growing, timely and thoughtful movement to help job seekers!
The tweet:
Apparently, his followers, including many recruiters, were game! The resulting business, JobAngels, has become a viral Twitter phenomenon, growing to over 1,700 followers in just a few short weeks and nearing 3,000 across Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn since Mark’s initial message on January 29th. JobAngels now boasts a website (in development) that Mark refers to as the theoretical prodigy of Match.com and LinkedIn. More specifically, he said “If Match.com and LinkedIn had a child, this is what it would look like.”
I recently had a chance to speak to Charee Klimek, Chief Marketing Officer, COO and Guardian Angel. She originally became acquainted with Mark via Twitter, as did the rest of the core organizing team: Deirdre Honner, Chief Connection Officer and Guardian Angel and Chris Bailey, Chief Technical Officer and Community Manager. Charee marveled at how individuals in the community embraced the movement aimed at bringing like-minded people together for the common goal of helping just one person find a job.
Charee explained that JobAngels is working on becoming registered as a non-profit organization whose mission, vision and values will align with the generous outpouring of support this movement has engendered. JobAngels plans to maintain the “high-touch, high-tech” presence they have fostered and maintained since Mark’s original tweet. The organizing “Angels” (all volunteering their time) hope that their efforts to grow and strengthen this movement will serve as “sandbags” helping to stave off the flood of unemployment, one person at a time.
What do you need to know to get involved? If you are interested in helping to network or able to hire someone, simply follow @jobangels on Twitter or join their LinkedIn or Facebook communities and alert them that you are willing to be an ‘Angel.’ If you are looking for a job, feel free to DM @JobAngels with your location and the type of position you seek; they will broadcast your request for an Angel using #jobangels. You’ll also want to follow the hashtag: #jobangels to keep up with the stream of information on Twitter.
I have already experienced the amazing reach of this network myself! I tweeted a request for a client, a photographer in Georgia, and almost immediately heard back from a contact in Chicago who offered to try to help! Amazing!
Charee noted that the Guardian Angels believe that “every bit of help from an Angel, no matter how small, sets the foundation for a successful career search.” JobAngels seeks success stories as a result of this nascent movement. If you have a story to share, they ask that you send it to [email protected].
As hundreds of people roll up their sleeves to help – and job seekers recognize the value of “loose” networking connections – it’s only a matter of time before the stories start coming in!
Need help with your search? Assistance using Twitter and other social networking platforms to fuel your search? Contact me – I can help!
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Using Facebook Groups for Job Hunting
Thanks to Alphonse Ha , social media marketing strategist and the Communication & Marketing Coordinator at Télé-Ressources Staffing Services Ltd., for this guest post!
Use these simple steps add Facebook groups to your job hunt networking strategy! The overall strategy revolves around a simple logic. Â Social networks are SOCIAL. Thus, join the conversation and network!
Before you join the conversation, be aware of the image you project to potential employers or anybody that can help you meet potential employers. Â It is important to know how to manage your personal branding on Facebook in order to maximize your chances to be hired via the social network.
Where are the conversations?
Conversations are everywhere, on people’s walls, in private messages, on event walls, on picture comments, ect. Â The important thing is to have a strategy. Â There is so much happening on Facebook, it can be overwhelming. Â Stay focused. Â What do you want to do with Facebook? Â Find a job? Ok. Â What kind of job? In a certain field? A certain position? Write it down on a post-it and stick it on your monitor, because Facebook can be quite distracting.
Use the Search Function
Look for groups related to the field that interests you. Â Some Facebook groups are even dedicated to certain professions. Â If you have a certain company in mind that you would like to work for, search for the company’s group.
Join the Conversation!
Talk to the people on the group’s wall. If there are no conversation (which is very likely for most groups), look up the members in the group and send them private messages. Â Facebook groups are a gold mine of resources.
Initiating Conversations Through Private Messages
How you approach these people is very important. Â There is a certain etiquette you must follow. Â Nobody likes to be solicited and you don’t have time to waste. Here are a few suggestions:
- Be genuine, honest and transparent.
- Introduce yourself and state your intentions.
- Be aware that you are entering somebody else’s private space and be respectful. I like to mention where or how I stumbled on their profile, i.e., that you saw they are members of a certain group or they listed their job in their profile. This introduction doesn’t need to be more than 2 or 3 sentences.
- Explain your situation and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Suggestions to consider: Ask about the best ways to get a foot in the door in their field. Ask if they can suggest resources or organizations for you to explore for information. Ideally, mention something that you have learned about them that you admire or make a connection. (For example, “I see you attended the University of Illinois; so did I!” or, “I read your article about ______ and was thrilled to find you on Facebook.”) Be sure to offer something in return. (I produce podcasts as a hobby, and I’d be happy to share my expertise if you’re interested.) Limit yourself to 1 or 2 questions per message.
Facebook can help you contact men or women who are currently working your dream job or in your field of choice. It is a great way to ask for informational interviews.  If your contacts are geographically close to the area where you would like to work, be sure to solicit them for an informational meeting.
I don’t recommend sending over 10 private messages per day because Facebook might flag you as a spammer and you can get your account suspended. My suggestion is to send around 5 to 7 private messages a day and spread them throughout the day.
Facebook is a great self-promoting tool, especially if you are creative and know how to manage your image. Â For instance, www.onedayonejob.com created a job search experiment using Facebook ads. The idea was to target potential employers and have the job hunters become the hunted. Be creative and respectful and you may be surprised by the results!
Happy hunting!
Have you used Facebook groups to propel your search? Share your thoughts in the comments section!
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