Finding a Job Through Online Social Networks
6 March 2009
Read by 1811 persons
Looking for a job? Want to change jobs? Let people know! To be known professionally, you now need an online presence. Online social networks (Viadeo, LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.) allow you to expand your contacts and increase your visibility to recruiters. Here's how.
According to a survey conducted by keljob.com, nearly 70% of French people consider online social networks (such as Viadeo, Facebook, or Cooptin) as a good way to facilitate their job search.
Advantages. Having a network is an asset for finding or changing a job. The internet allows you to build professional contacts. Online social networks allow you to reconnect with people who can be professionally beneficial (former colleagues, former classmates, etc.) and to expand your address book. Registering on online networks also increases your visibility to recruiters, keeps you informed about the market and opportunities.
Which network to choose? Professional social networks can quickly become time-consuming. It is therefore better to be registered on one or two networks and keep your profiles active, rather than being present but inactive on several social networks. There is a wide choice: Viadeo, the main professional networking platform in France, or 6energies; LinkedIn, of American origin with a strong international connotation; the social network Lesjeudis.com reserved for computer scientists. Facebook is a special case: this network can be used for personal or professional purposes. Recruiters are increasingly interested in this tool. As proof, the "Work With Me" application created by the HR communication agency, TMPNEO, allows Facebook users to display their company's job offers in their profile. This is the case for L'Oréal, Unilog Groupe, Areva, CSC (Computer Sciences Corporation).
Best Practices. Carefully fill out your profile, highlighting any experience, skills, and projects that might interest a recruiter. Select your contacts so that your network is efficient. Also be an active member of the network. On Viadeo, for example, you can join "hubs", discussion groups, or create new ones. Social networks are based on the principle of exchange: you give to receive. Don't hesitate to share your advice, suggestions, and information; this will facilitate a relationship of trust and reciprocity with other members.
Finally, while social networks can "boost" your job search, you shouldn't neglect other job search avenues (unsolicited applications, job offers, company websites, job fairs or forums).
Posted on December 1, 2008
pole-emploi.fr
According to a survey conducted by keljob.com, nearly 70% of French people consider online social networks (such as Viadeo, Facebook, or Cooptin) as a good way to facilitate their job search.
Advantages. Having a network is an asset for finding or changing a job. The internet allows you to build professional contacts. Online social networks allow you to reconnect with people who can be professionally beneficial (former colleagues, former classmates, etc.) and to expand your address book. Registering on online networks also increases your visibility to recruiters, keeps you informed about the market and opportunities.
Which network to choose? Professional social networks can quickly become time-consuming. It is therefore better to be registered on one or two networks and keep your profiles active, rather than being present but inactive on several social networks. There is a wide choice: Viadeo, the main professional networking platform in France, or 6energies; LinkedIn, of American origin with a strong international connotation; the social network Lesjeudis.com reserved for computer scientists. Facebook is a special case: this network can be used for personal or professional purposes. Recruiters are increasingly interested in this tool. As proof, the "Work With Me" application created by the HR communication agency, TMPNEO, allows Facebook users to display their company's job offers in their profile. This is the case for L'Oréal, Unilog Groupe, Areva, CSC (Computer Sciences Corporation).
Best Practices. Carefully fill out your profile, highlighting any experience, skills, and projects that might interest a recruiter. Select your contacts so that your network is efficient. Also be an active member of the network. On Viadeo, for example, you can join "hubs", discussion groups, or create new ones. Social networks are based on the principle of exchange: you give to receive. Don't hesitate to share your advice, suggestions, and information; this will facilitate a relationship of trust and reciprocity with other members.
Finally, while social networks can "boost" your job search, you shouldn't neglect other job search avenues (unsolicited applications, job offers, company websites, job fairs or forums).
Posted on December 1, 2008
pole-emploi.fr
