Dubin & Lee Blog

6 Things You Need to Know About Facebook and Your Job Search

  

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Yes, it is possible that Facebook could make or break your next career move for one BIG reason. 

More and more people are spending more time using Facebook. 

A recent report by market researcher Nielsen found that people now spend more time using social networking sites than they do personal e-mail.

An email inbox has become more of a task list as where social media is where people go to, well…be social.

While LinkedIn is “the place to be” if you have an eye out for your next career opportunity, Facebook cannot be ignored because more and more people are spending time there.

Here is what you need to know about Facebook and your job search.

1. Your friends are your network too.  Many of us would find it uncomfortable to call or email our friends to tell them they are looking for a new job but as long as your job search is NOT confidential, Facebook is a great place to get the word out.  This way, those that are eager to help or might know some people in your industry can help.  I have been seeing people find jobs frequently this way in the past year or so.
2. Don’t wait until you are in need.  We have all had that friend that only reached out when they needed something.  Don’t be that friend.  Find people to reconnect with or those that you know that are already active on Facebook now. 
3. Friends of friends are sometimes even better.  There are some areas of our lives that we tend to keep guarded from our friends, but that 2^nd degree connection or someone you just met through one of your friends is just distant enough for more sensitive matters such as salary history and yet familiar enough for a trusted referral.
4. BranchOut. BranchOut is an app on Facebook that is like LinkedIn for Facebook because it allows you to network and find jobs through your friends on the social network. BranchOut’s Facebook app lets you search for companies and then shows you all your friends who either work there or know somebody who does.

• CONS:  My concern about the application is that many people like to keep business on LinkedIn and personal on Facebook.  Only to the job seeker and the job seekers’ friends is a job search personal.  It is business for the Hiring Authorities and Recruiters.  It’s new so I am not sure how effective it will be but I am starting to try it out now. 
• PROS:  In 2005 I said the exact same thing about LinkedIn, so who knows?!?!

5. Likes!  This is where the action is! If you “like” or “become a fan” of a company or job site, you will get updates on new jobs.  The features on Facebook allow you to share individual posts in any way you wish (your wall, a friend’s wall, in a private message, to a group or to a page) which can help your network tremendously.  Not only is this a super easy and an unobtrusive way for friends to help you it is a fantastic way for you to help others.
6. Use the massive power of Facebook for Good vs. Evil.  Yep, this is the biggee!!!  If it is on the internet ANYWHERE, it is public so start thinking about ANYTHING you put on the internet as your personal brand. 

Let’s say you have completely skipped using Facebook to find a job and now you are interviewing with your dream company…when they research you on Facebook, which they almost always do, what will they see?  PLEASE!!!!!!  Make what they see a reason they want to hire you and not a reason for concern….and you know what I mean!

What else can you get from Facebook for your career and job search?

“Like” the Dubin & Lee Facebook page and you will not only get…

• Career advice from me, my clients and colleagues
• Updated on career and job search events
• Updates on new jobs

but you will get a 5 page, step-by-step guide to "Getting Hired" from my “Getting Hired” workshop that covers  building your resume, getting your foot in the door, interview preparation, interview tips, "thank you" note tips and best practices for interview follow up.

Note:  If you have “Liked” our page before this offer, go to the page and click on the “welcome” app on the left hand side to download the “Getting Hired” guide.