Finding a Job in the Online Era
As my graduation from UNC-Chapel Hill looms in my not-so-distant future [insert panic attack here], I thought I would share a little bit about how the job search game has changed with the boom of social media and online social networking. In the past, it has always been about tapping into personal networks and asking friends who they know. With the Internet buzzing with social media, there are similar ways to use social media to network, and eventually find a job.
LinkedIn: Basically, LinkedIn is a site that allows you to connect to people you know from your professional network, and allows you to search and connect with other professionals. You can search the profiles of people you would like to reach out to and see if you have any common connections with them. LinkedIn also allows employers to post jobs to their site, which are usually high quality, professional jobs.
Twitter: The best part of Twitter is that it allows you to connect with people you don’t know, based on common interests. My first tip is to stay engaged in conversations on Twitter. Potential employers will notice your insights and reach out to you if you have innovative ideas. Also, Twitter is great because you can reach out to people you want to network with. For example, a direct message stating, “Hi, I’m looking to break into social media. Is there anyone you can refer me to?” Odds are they’ll appreciate you reaching out in a non-traditional way and make efforts to get you connected to the right people.
Resume: Make your resume more interactive, especially if you’re looking to break into social media, or any communications network really. In my resume, I created an interactive PDF version with active links to my Twitter, LinkedIn and personal blog. I also made links to other online publications in which I’ve been published so it’s easy for potential employers to see my work instantly. If you need help doing this, check out this article on inserting hyperlinks.
Although it may sound like common sense, the one thing I’ve learned throughout my job search is people want to help you – but no one is going to help you unless you step up and make the first move. Employers want intelligent go-getters who aren’t afraid to make the first move, so go out there and get found – whether via Tweet, digital networking, online profile or even a good old fashioned resume.
Anyone else have any social media related tips for those on the job hunt?
Tween Twitter Takeover
It’s time for me to come clean: I think Justin Bieber is a genius.
From the beginning (he was discovered by Usher on YouTube) the 16-year-old singer has been an Internet sensation and has continued his web domination through Twitter during 2010.
A new article gives businesses the top Twitter lessons you can learn from Bieber—many of which are actually worth listening to. Here are some of the main takeaways from the article:
- Stay current with pop culture happenings
- Know your audience – it makes reaching out via social media more effective
- Stay current with your customers – understand their interests and tailor your conversations and events to them
Although his assent to fame has been unconventional, this pint-sized superstar is taking pop culture by storm one tweet at a time, showing the ever-emerging power of social media branding.
Magazines Gear Up for iPad
In a new PaidContent article, “Taking the Tablet: 15 Ways Publishers Are Re-Imagining the Magazine”, 15 magazines are highlighted showing how the publishers are re-imagining the layout for tablet devices such as Apple’s iPad, which hits store April 3. The article is pretty neat, listing the different magazines then providing a video that goes through the whole layout.
The ones that struck me were Sports Illustrated, Marie Claire and the New York Times, with each taking a different approach to delivering content.
SI has focused on developing an interactive and breaking news model that will allow subscribers to see live scores and developing stories. Although I’m definitely a fan of the model, I wonder how this will differ and compete with the current SI Web site. Marie Claire and The New York Times have stayed true to their original layouts, but added features that allow a more interactive experience.
Check out the full article and demos.
Twitter Goes Loco for Coco
Conan O’Brien was able to nearly sell out his nationwide “Legally Prohibited From Being Funny on Television Tour” in a matter of hours through a few, simple Twitter messages. The O’Brien team relied not on traditional advertising to spread the word, but on the viral nature of tweets to his 600,000-plus followers.
O’Brien gained waves of support online while NBC tried to renegotiate their late night schedule earlier this year. Thousands used Twitter and Facebook to vent their outrage about O’Brien’s proposed move to 12:05 a.m. The trending topic #teamconan thrived and Facebook groups named “I’m with Coco” popped up everywhere.
The comedian’s online fan base showed its ardent loyalty early on and O’Brien was able to capitalize on their enthusiasm and support to buy tickets. It really is an interesting marketing strategy based on brand loyalty that other companies and organizations will definitely be looking into for the future.
Defense Department OKs Operation Social Media
A new policy released Friday by the Department of Defense has reversed multiple bans on social media websites effective immediately, including YouTube, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and other social tools.
This is a great step towards bringing families and friends closer to their loved ones overseas as more and more communication takes place over these channels – especially Facebook. The new policy is far-reaching, but as NYT’s “At War” Blog points out, it isn’t without caveats. Especially for the Department of Defense, it is hard to find a balance between security and information sharing and general conversation with friends and family.
The Department of Defense is not alone in this dilemma. Many organizations and companies have been working to balance the same transparency yet security in establishing their own social media program. Yet this policy reflects the ever-increasing importance of social media in the communications realm.
The Defense Department’s statement is a great platform for organizations hoping to delve into the world of social media. It shows that organizations can embrace social media, while at the same time providing baseline rules to keep company strategy and goals on course.
So if you’re trying to keep up with a friend or family member overseas, this policy will definitely help, but citizens should not worry that national security secrets will live in the Twittersphere and beyond.
If interested, you can access the PDF of the new policy here.
And the Oscar Goes To…College Applications?
Oh the joys of college applications. Hours of standardized tests, filling out mind-numbing paperwork, and the ominous duty of constructing a meticulous essay highlighting what makes YOU so special – and now YouTube?
Applicants for Tufts University’s Class of 2014 had the opportunity to submit a video as an application supplement. About 1,000 of the 15,000 applicants submitted a video, with some becoming viral online sensations.
My personal favorite is local North Carolinian Amelia Downs, with more than 6,000 views for her video combining “two of my favorite things: being a nerd and dancing,” in which she performs a bar graph, a scatter plot and a pie chart, among others.
I’ve never been a very tech savvy or artsy individual – when given the option to write a ten-page paper or construct a diorama, I always went for the paper. But not everyone is like that, just like not everyone has to ability to move a story along visually.
The problem that arises with this new option is whether students will have to channel their inner James Cameron, in addition to scoring good grades, being able to write and filling in the correct bubbles on a standardized test. Is this increased pressure and competition going to be too much for already overburdened 17-year-olds?
Olympic Games Go Social
As a Canadian, hockey is seemingly a part of my DNA. So imagine my disappointment when I realized one of my classes conflicted with Canada’s opening game against Norway. Devastation. But thanks to Twitter, I was able to follow every goal, assist and major action from my laptop.
These games have been pegged as the “first social media Olympics.” On Twitter, fans can connect directly to Tweeting athletes through a published list of verified Olympic athletes. Sites like Twitter-Athletes and NBC’s Twitter tracker are two other sources of news.
Facebook is not to be left behind. The official Olympic Games fan page has about 1.5 million fans, collecting status updates from Olympians like skier Lindsey Vonn and speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno, as well as adding daily photos from Vancouver.
The great thing about these sites is fans now have the ability to connect directly to the athletes, giving everyone the feeling that they have the “inside scoop” about what’s going on in Vancouver. No matter where you are in the world, through social media, fans can feel like they are part of the Olympic Village.
Intern Intro – Meet Carlyle!
Hi everyone! I’m Carlyle McCoy, the new social media intern at Howard, Merrell & Partners. From time to time I will have the opportunity to contribute to the HM&P blog and am excited to share my perspective on the PR/Social Media world.
Originally from Chicago, I’m a senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill majoring in political science and journalism. I’m excited and nervous to graduate, but I know that all the awesome experiences I’m going to have this semester at HM&P will absolutely help me after graduation.
Social media is a really big interest for me; I love the way that it is a young, new and exciting information outlet that allows everyone to be connected almost instantaneously. When I’m not on Facebook, Twitter or busy studying, I enjoy catching up on juicy celebrity gossip, being with my family and friends, traveling and watching sports.
I’m excited to see what my final semester has in store for me and can’t wait to delve more into the world of social media at HM&P!
