Social Media Presence Won’t Land You a Job

no matter how great this social media sites are it will still be up to you to find a job that's why you don't have to depend too much on these sites

We are only as good as everything in our job-seeking arsenal. If a good job search is a feast- and social media is just one course? We're surely missing out by not bringing everything to the table, don't you think?
www.box.net/socialmedia
www.twitter.com/girlmeetsgeek

Exactly - your arsenal should have many different components and lots to offer.

Thanks for the comment!

It's so important to have a social media presence coming out into the work world today, whether you're fresh out of college or changing employers. Although presence is the first step, I agree that it should certainly not be the final one. Continuous updates are the only way to prove that a.) you actually know what you're doing and b.) you have ideas! Social media is all about getting juices flowing, exchanging ideas and information to create updated, or if you're lucky enough, new ideas for your organization. And then it's a little bit about vanity, but only a little. It must be a combination of personality and innovation, selfish plugs and rivetting new ideas. The fact that the CAREER CENTER told someone that all they needed was a twitter account and to only promote themselves seems a little uneducated.

You're exactly right Claire. I think the fact that the career center said that really points to the fact that the space is so new, and so many still don't understand it.

Great comment, and thanks for stopping by - I hope you continue to offer insight!

Great points here L. This is something I can personally attest to. Without my blog, without my active Social Media presence, I probably wouldn't be where I am today in a position as an Internet Marketing Developer. I owe a lot to the online tools I have worked hard to manage and cultivate over the past year. At the core of it all, building relationships is what matters most. Being engaged, knowing when to listen and when to respond, when to take action and when to take a back seat - the delicate balancing act and beautiful dance of Social Media. It's easier said than done, and to be successful, takes real time commitment.

True colors do always come out - if you're trying to be someone you're not - people will sniff you out. Well said Lauren!

I agree with everything stated - especially because I have a very similar story. The key to your comment is that you worked hard and cultivated your presence - it wasn't just a why, it was a how. Building relationships should be at the forefront, and I think you're a great example of that.

True colors do eventually come out - some people can fake it, but only for so long.

Important thoughts, Lauren. Not shocked to hear a career center is offering this type of advice -- and maybe as David and Rachel noted they are just trying to encourage students to get out in the social media space -- but just being out there alone won't cut it. There should also be a strategy discussion taking place. How do you differentiate yourself, show off your personality and what you bring to the table...all factors that could indeed land someone a job.

Did a presentation on millenials a few months back and one of the most interesting findings in the research was that this generation, which makes up most of the college students today, has grown up with social media and totally gets the technology. But that doesn't mean its members get the strategy or how to use it professionally. Hopefully we'll see colleges and universities taking the steps to connect those dots for students more and more in the near future.

There are a few college professors on Twitter who are doing a great job of helping their students apply social media to the real world -- @beverlymacy and @barbaranixon to name a couple. And of course #prsdtudchat is a great place for students to seek social media mentors as well if they're not getting what they need on campus.

Thanks, J! Gen Y does get the platforms, but they need to be taught strategy. Once they know that, they are golden. I know a lot of social strategists that are 24-27, and do a great job because they get both sides of it.
Colleges are learning it just as you and me.... the ones that are teaching it right, however, are the ones that get ahead.

Good points. I think students are definitely capable of picking up both sides. Seems the bigger issue is that someone actually brings it to their attention. Why I love what #prstudchat is doing. Recent research shows average age of Twitter user is 31. Seems like a platform students could do a lot more with but is a disconnect there. Hopefully conversations like the one Valerie and Deirdre have started will change perspective and help young professionals use Twitter in a way that's advantageous to them.

Any other great online resources for students looking to understand all the advantages of social media? Besides Twitter and your blog of course? :)

I really like where this conversation is going and that just illustrates the point. SM is what you make of it. It was intended to connect people's thoughts and ideas. Unfortunately most use it for self promotion and advancement. Ironically, those are the ones that gain the least from their time spent online. They may not realize it now but it will eventually become reality. It is about conversations & dialogue NOT pushing information that will benefit yourself.

The thing is: those shameless self promoters think they are getting somewhere. Some have followers that blow smoke up their butt just because they can. It's not about that, but those that have realized it are the ones that are doing well.

SM is a balance of you and them..... if you're going to talk about yourself, talk about others that much more.

I agree wholeheartedly with your Parrot Point. I see so many people on Twitter who are referred to as "social media gurus" or people who "really get it," but when I read their streams it's all regurgitated information with no analysis or fresh content. I get much more value from posts that have additional comments because they generate conversation - it's hard to respond to just a link or RT when you aren't sure what the person who shared it thinks about it. If they provide an opinion, you can agree or disagree and expound on that concept. This starts conversations that others can join, creating a cycle of knowledge share that can be a great educational resource - this is why I joined Twitter and what works for me personally.

EXACTLY. That deserves all caps because your comment was so spot on. People are mirroring others and not making it their own flavor - and it drives me nuts. You can't claim to be a leader with anothers' thoughts.

I liked your point about agreeing or disagreeing, then expounding on it. What a great way to get your thoughts out there and build on a foundation. Plus, you can start a conversation and maybe foster a relationship with these people.

This post is a good reminder for those job seekers and graduating seniors who are using the tools the wrong way. It's difficult and consumes a lot of time, but you have to play by the rules in social media. I think a good rule is the 70/30 rule; 70 percent of your tweets should be RT's and sharing other posts, while 30 percent contains your own content. I don't necessarily count every post, but I keep it in my own mind. Thanks for this post!

I really like that rule, Nick - and one that many of us should abide by. If I tweet my own posts, I try to tweet at least two other posts I found interesting. They might be in my inner circle, they might not - its all about what is good content.

No problem on the post - thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts! It's refreshing to get student POV.

Well said, Lauren. When I read the title, I knew exactly what this post was about and what you would advise. It's so true. Just like for brands and companies, just being on SM megaphoning (I think I just made that word up) information won't get you very far. On the other hand, engaging, RTing, and connecting with others can be a big PART of your job hunting strategy. As others have said, It is not the end-all-be-all.

Also, it always makes me say "hmmm" when I find someone on Twitter who says they are looking for a PR job in their bio, but tweet nothing about PR. For gosh sakes, show that you're passionate about PR and work that into your tweets! Engage in PR chats, tweet relevant blog posts/articles, etc.

Thanks for a good post,

Tom
@TomOKeefe1

Am I that transparent on blog titles? :)

You're exactly right - your tweets should reflect your bio in some way. Not all the time, but in some sort of fashion. If you're into PR, I want to know why, how and what articles appease to you. Let me know. Show me some style. It pays off.

Great post Lauren! All I can say is WOW. I am SO shocked that this is what career centers are preaching. It give recent graduates the wrong idea on how best to "network" to get a job.

I think social media is a valuable to tool to build your personal brand which can HELP (being the key word - not "get" as it seemed the career center told your colleague) you find job opportunities. This career center should really promote the necessity of networking and relationship building - in both the social and 4 dimensional worlds - in order to make significant business connections that could be great leads to a job.

An interesting side note - a family member of mine was recently laid off and is using Twitter to just follow recruiters who are posting jobs and to scope out the job market. It has been another resource for him to see jobs that are posted and apply for something that fits his qualifications (which fall no where in PR/Marketing). That to me is a lot better use than shameless self promotion.

Just my opinion ... I think I may have ranted a bit there :)

Hey now, rants are ok! I was shocked when this happened. However, it does speak to the fact of how new this space is - and the different ways that people are using it. One way might not work for someone else - and we all have different goals.

Thanks for stopping by K!

Great article. I completely agree with its main points, as well as many of the comments above. I would like to bring up one thought. For many people, I’m just glad they’re using social media at all. I have a couple of friends looking for marketing jobs, yet they couldn’t tell me what Twitter or Linkedin is. Maybe some of these job seekers are just learning to use social media, and they don’t know how to effectively use the space yet. And that’s okay. At least they’re getting their feet wet. We can’t automatically assume everyone knows how to properly use social media—it’s a learning process! I have a feeling the people working at the career center may not know how to use the space either, rather they recognize it’s a great opportunity for job seekers, so they tell them to join. (Oh and, don’t get me wrong, if you’re looking for a job within marketing or PR, I would highly recommend you know what Twitter is! I just know many who don’t.)

But what sets them apart for you - those that are knowledgeable? Or is it just the drive there to learn more? I always tell people I can't teach dedication, but I can teach you the tools. I want someone with a personality and who can leverage it in the future, if they aren't already. You can engage, learn and mold - something that is so great about this space.

Lauren,

Great post and advice. Take if from someone who has hired several people over the past year - as far as PR is concerned, I actually wouldn't hire someone who isn't on Twitter. Bonus points if you have a blog. There are many different reasons I'll hire or not hire, which includes experience, drive, understanding of our business, hunger for news, culture fit, and someone who embraces social media tools. I'd also say that Twitter can help you build a more personal relationship with potential employers. I agree with all the points you made above, but I do want to say that a proactive and knowledgeable approach to social media can be more helpful than people may realize.

Rachel Kay
@rachelakay

I couldn't agree with you more, R Kay. I actually landed my new gig through social media, and the relationships I had fostered on it. Was I looking for a job? No, but they had seen how I interacted, what I posted, etc. Sometimes you're proactive and don't even realize it!

I think you make a great point about the different reasons you'd hire someone - and I like how you listed it out. You can build a much more personal relationship - and isn't that what networking is about? A mix of personal and professional.

Different tools work for different people and different situations. Twitter might help a ton in getting a PR, advertising, marketing, etc. type of a job, but not so much in getting a construction or architect or retail manager position.

That being said, applying different tools "outside the box" can have amazing results. Look at all the obvious case studies for examples, but the point is that while "social media" is not the next savior, it has power if harnessed properly.

But then we wouldn't be in the presence of Social Media Moses..... ;)

I think you're right that it depends on the industry. For PR, it is imperative to build yourself and a community on Twitter if you want to use the tools to get a job. Most just do it because they want to.

Outside the box - absolutely correct. Those are the types that catch my attention and hold on to it.

Before social media was everywhere having a blog and a social media presence showed employers something--that you recognized a powerful tool in business. Now that social media is ubiquitous, a presence is not enough. This is true for everyone from job seekers to fortune 500 companies, as the market is more and more saturated you need to something innovative.

If you're a job seeker, maybe it's putting some effort into design, networking with established bloggers, or connecting with a mentor in your future industry of choice.

In today's social media saturated world, use established brands and individuals as a jumping off point to find your own voice. Blending in gets you nowhere.

Nice job Lauren!

Exactly right, D.

Although, I wonder if design is as important as content. Some of the prettiest blogs I see offer nothing - it's trying to make up for lack of brainpower. I think putting effort into networking should always be happening, no matter who you are.

Jumping off points are a great way to get started and use as guidance.

I do agree that many design focused blogs are pure fluff, but understanding the connection between content and design is a big part of succeeding in the social media space. If you're content isn't readable, or if someone can't navigate your blog, how are you supposed to build a community, or be taken seriously by employers?

Content obviously comes first, but may of us have a natural affinity for clean and usable design. Or maybe it's just me?

No, I think you're right. There are just a few blogs that are "pretty" but offer nothing. Most will put in effort or pay someone to design if they truly believe in their blog and the content.

Clean and easy is a lot better than just pretty, right? :)

Absolutely. Cleanliness and usability is key :-)

I think we need to tell that to the folks that hide their e-mail addresses and only promote themselves.....

Great article, Lauren! I completely agree - I keep hearing the same thing regurgitated over and over again. I value people who are insightful, share other's information, AND are able to formulate their own opinions and thoughts. Those people are the most interesting and are going to land a job via social media. Social media is just a stepping stone, not a solution.

Seriously. People say the same stuff over and over - to where my blog roll has really been whittled down because I was tired of reading recycled material.

"Social media is a stepping stone, not a solution" - Sums it up perfectly.

Great post Lauren. I hope most career advisers aren't doling out similar advice. The only additional advice I would add (especially now that I'm finally reading Trust Agents), is to make sure to leverage the online interactions into offline meetings. I think that if a job seeker took that approach, he/she would not be unemployed for very long.

Exactly. Many don't do that, but in-person networking will never go away. You have to learn how to leverage that and build those relationships. Go to events!

Well let's distinguish between goals and strategy first... When I started my blog, my main goal was to get a job. How I approached the "social media space" on my blog and on twitter is the strategy. The problem with the advice given to your mentee wasn't the goal, but the strategy.

For job seekers, marketing yourself and building your brand is a big aspect. I've spoken about my problem with personal branding, but the fact is, a strong brand will help your career. How you build that brand is what matters however. If your brand is all about you, you probably won't get very far. If you're building your brand by helping others, contributing unique information to the space, and actually working to become a valuable contributor to the community, you will find a much greater return on your efforts.

David
Community Manager, Scribnia.com
@DavidSpinks

Sure, that might have been the beginning goal, but I think you quickly realized how to build a community and foster relationships with mentors. You're a prime case study for how you can leverage your presence into something more.

You're right, goal and strategy are different. Those that only worry about having an account don't have a strategy. That's where they fail.

Right...and I should point out, don't be afraid to jump in with no initial strategy and build one as you go. That's what I did. As long as you have the mentality of building a strategy as you go. This might not work for businesses, but for a young professional's personal brand, it's the way to go.

True, I think that can work as well. You can't be afraid to change your strategy or just try new things - build yourself, your network and learn from your mistakes.

Lauren, I like your thoughts here, especially the third. There aren't a lot of truly fresh voices in the world of social media (you are one of them), so the more that someone adds unique thoughts/feedback/value to the discussion the better chance they have of sticking out in the crowd. Interaction is key, but I wouldn't necessarily hire someone for their network - I'd hire them for their brains and their ability to apply what they know. As you said, content and character are what really matters.

Keep it up.

@JasonSprenger

I'm not so shocked that a career center offered that advice to someone looking for help, which may be sad in itself. It's easy for Twitter to become a narcissistic tool rather than a social networking aide.

I agree with the points made in your entry. However, I would like to disagree with your second point, respectfully, of course. Who you're RT'ing from, and @replying to, does make a difference, even when most of the tweeters' content is music-centered. The music industry works the same as PR as far as networking and references goes: it's about who you know, and creating connections, as well. A musician that could appear unpopular on a wider scope could very well be that stepping stone in the right direction because of the people they know. PR may not have a definitive role in the music industry (yet), but there are a lot of ways the two can tie in together. In an age where record labels have seen brighter days, the type of artist-to-consumer connection/communication could help boost artists' sales. My apologies for running off in another direction for this. I suppose it's something to ponder!

Trust me, I like when people disagree. It's that kind of thought that grabs people's attention. I really don't know if I would have thought that about musicians and how to leverage it in the PR world. How would you do so, if you don't mind me asking? It's a really interesting twist.

I do agree that who you RT makes a difference - as I stated above, it's all about who you interact with that can get you to the door. It's what you do, though, that kicks you through it. Hard work always pays off.

I agree that, without a doubt, hard work pays off. Musicians that sign the dotted line on a recording contract may think they have the good life waiting for them as soon as their debut drops, but it's an entirely different story. Thanks to the wonders of the Internet and music piracy, most people I know won't buy a C.D. unless they respect the artist, or band. I've found the solution isn't going after those who download music illegaly, rather the solution could be found in the fundamentals of PR: value your consumer, communicate, plan, and always keep them in mind.

The most important thing to a musician should be their fans. The more traditionl ways of promotion (TV, radio, magazine interviews) either won't reach the audience you're hoping to, or they aren't enough to sway someone to go out and buy a record, especially when it's easily accessible on the Web. Social networking gives musicians a chance to connect with their fan-base on a personal level. Sure, replying to tweets may not be what musicians should have to do, yet it can make all the difference. It can take a casual fan to a loyal fan because of the interaction. On top of that, knowing your fans on a personal level can help secure a loyal fan-base. Plus, with record sales at a low, the real way to make money as a musician is to tour and play shows. Networking, and building relationships, will help ensure people come out to their shows. Knowing fans on a personal level can also help prevent a crisis with fans because of promoting something that you know fans don't agree with. Fall Out Boy has received tons of slack over the years for "selling out," appearing in commercials, putting a phone in their music videos for promotion, but they knew not to take the offer to be in a cell phone commercial with Madonna because it would have caused an up-roar with fans. They successfully avoided that backlash.

@DAChesterFrench, from the band Chester French, is an excellent example of an artist with a PR type of mind. After opening for Blink-182, every night, he would look up people's comments about his set on Twitter, and send a free copy of their debut album to anyone that disliked their set, in effort to redeem that person's outlook on his band. There was one day where he personally called everyone that e-mailed him a receipt of Chester French's debut album. It's not hard to see that Chester French cares about their fans, so it isn't hard for those fans to support a band that cares about them just as much as they care about the band.

Hopefully you can see the connection, as it is a twist. I'd love to know what you think after hearing how I made the correlation between the two. After all, you are the PR pro!

This is a great post, Lauren.

It's sad, but too often people think that social media is a fix-all. I think that sometimes we get so wrapped up in doing what we have to do or what we are *supposed* to do, that we forget that it's not all about us.

I know plenty of people who have Twitter just to have it...they talk about themselves and what they are doing, but have never taken the time to RT any one or even @ reply people! It honestly breaks my heart!

It's hard not to make your social media platforms all about yourself (I'm def. more guilty of that as far as Facebook goes) but it can be so valuable to take a step back and see what you can learn from others by engaging!

Yes, social media is a place where you can brand yourself, but like you said, "...it’s WHO you are, HOW hard you work, and WHAT you do that lands you the job. Not the URL." I try to make social media more like a continuing education opportunity where it's more about learning from others than pimping myself out...

I know many people that started a blog to "land a job" and then realized how much work it was. I think that speaks volumes of the types that have done well in the sphere, as opposed to the shameless self promoters.

You're right on the money about how SM is a continuing education opportunity - you have to make it not only about yourself, but about what you can learn from others as well.

I can't believe that a career center would even tell someone that. Its taking people months to find jobs, how can anyone except a simple twitter account to cure that problem. If that were the case there wouldn't be so many fantastic unemployed tweeters!

And I totally agree that content is King. I don't want to read your updates if you're only talking about yourself. Then all you bring to the table is your point of view. Sharing is caring.

Thanks for the comment, Jessica!

You're exactly correct - a Twitter account doesn't cure the problem. Your personality, your networking and how you present yourself is important - and content even more so.

Sharing is caring - I love it.