How to Use Social Networking To Boost Your Career

How to Use Social Networking To Boost Your CareerHow to Use Social Networking To Boost Your CareerSocial networking can be an integral parte of your job search or career building - if you use it correctly. If you dont, even information you consider private like a photo posted on Facebook or a random comment on Twitter, could cost you your job and unexpectedly damage your career. Below are great resources to help you learnhow to use social networking to boost your career. Youll also find tips on what you shouldnt do when it comes to social media and your career - and thats just as important as what you should do. What Is Social Job Searching? Social job searching involves using social media sites like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter for job searching. Social media is used by both job seekers who are looking for employment opportunities, and companies looking to hire. How to Use Social Media in Your Job Search Its important to build a social network in advance of when you need it.You should be prepared to be found on social media, whether it is a recruiter viewing your profile or an employer who you reached out to first. That being said, youll need to do more than just have an online presence. Its fruchtwein important to make sure your LinkedIn is built out comprehensively with your most recent employment information, and take responsibility to keep it up to date. Being proactive when it comes to social media can position you, so you are prepared to job search at any time - when you need to find a job or when youre are looking for a change. Its equally important to ensure your social profiles remain work-appropriate if they are public. Its common for employers to Google candidates, so make sure your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest dont contain anything that could hinder you from getting a job. Beyond keeping your profile fresh and professional, you should also make an effort to stay active online. Talk to your connections on Twitter or the oth er networking sites. Join Groups on LinkedIn and Facebook, post and join the discussion. Be engaged and proactive in your communications. How Employers Use Social Media to Recruit Its very important to consider your online presence, as more and more employers have been expanding their hiring procedures to incorporate social networking sites. Hiring managers and recruiters use social media tosource candidates, to post jobs, and to accept job applications. Social media job searching sites can help hiring managers to get a more clear sense of their qualifikation employees and their backgrounds before they have even interacted. Social media makes it easy for recruiters to understand you better your likes, dislikes, and how you might fit within the company. Using Social Networking to Boost (or Bust) Your Career 10 Reasons Social Media Should Rock Your WorldSocial media participation is an essential tool in networking with potential professional contacts, staying in touch with cur rent and former contacts, recruiting employees, advancing your career, and keeping in touch with the world from Susan Heathfield. Your After-Work Behavior Can Harm Your Job or CareerYour behavior after work can harm your job or career. Find out what things you should refrain from doing from Dawn Rosenberg McKay. Using Social Networking in Your Internship Search Social networking sites are great for keeping up with friends across the globe and can also be advantageous in the internship or job search. Protecting Your Privacy OnlineAlthough social networking sites offer many advantages, they can also pose a threat to protecting an individuals privacy online. Using Social Media in the WorkplaceShould you be accessing Facebook or Twitter while on the job? Research suggests a good number of workplaces are banning employees from visiting social networking sites for any reason while on the job from Patricia Pickett. The Best Social Networking Sites for Job SearchingUse these top social and professional networking sites to enhance your career and boost your job search, and learn how to use social networking sites for job search. Using LinkedIn for Recommendations, Networking, and Recruiting How to Use LinkedInHow to use LinkedIn as part of your job search, including how to increase your visibility and connections, so employers and recruiters can find you. Use LinkedIn for Recruiting EmployeesAre you looking for a new job or to advance your career? LinkedIn is a critical career networking tool for todays savvy professionals. Heres how employers are using LinkedIn to develop relationships with and recruit potential employees from Susan Heathfield. Tips for Requesting LinkedIn RecommendationsWhen applying for a technical job - or any job, for that matter - that you found on LinkedIn, you may notice that the posting says Applicants with recommendations are preferred. Heres how to ask for a recommendation from Patricia Pickett. Resources for Using Facebook as a Profe ssional Facebook and Job Search Privacy TipsIf you are a Facebook user and are concerned about employers (or others) seeing the personal information that you have on Facebook, you can change your privacy settings so only certain people, like your friends or other students, can view your profile. How to Use Twitter for Your Job Search and Business Twitter Tips for Music IndustryTwitter has become more and more important to themusic industry, but to get the most bang for your buck, youve got to be smart about how you use it. This tips from Heather McDonaldwill help you maximize your Twitter success factor. Twitter Job Search TipsWhen youre seeking employment, Twitter can be an effective part of your job search strategy. Used in conjunction with LinkedIn, job search engines, and other job sites, Twitter can help you make connections, find job listings, and build a personal brand that will help boost your career and expedite your job search.

Intuits Raji Arasu Shares Her Best Career Lesson - The Muse

Intuits Raji Arasu Shares Her Best Career Lesson - The MuseIntuits Raji Arasu Shares Her Best Career Lesson When I was in high school, my mom started banning phones from the dinner table. To this day, whenever I pull out my cell to check my inbox when were eating, my mom shakes her head and tells me to put it away.And as much as I resent it in the moment (But this, I swear, is really important), Im usually grateful that she called me out. As a working adult whos being pulled in multiple directions at any given time, I rarely get to enjoy my time with friends and family. Im sure you can relate. My mom, in fact, lives thousands of miles away, so when she forces me to pay attention to her its because we only have so much time together. And I listen to her, because I know Ill regret not making the most of this time.(If this isnt the case for you and yur parents, feel free to substitute mom with someone you enjoy being around.)Its so silly, but being present during our time with loved one s is one of the best gifts of self-care we can grant ourselves- and one that we tend to neglect the most often. But dont take it from me, Im just your average working gal. Take it from someone whos higher up- who has 10 times more responsibilities than I, and yet follows the same philosophy.I spoke with Raji Arasu. In addition to being Intuits SVP of CTO Dev, shes also an advisory board member for Code.org and the CTO Forum and serves on the board of directors at NIC Inc.One of the most important lessons I learned in my career was to drop the guilt and be present in the moment, whether its at work or at home. For that reason, I prioritize quality time with my family and colleagues. Being present in those delightful moments is what keeps me from reaching for my phone, and helps me to remain truly present. As a leader at Intuit, I try to set the example of making eye contact, actively listening, and participating in every interaction. I try to carry that appreciation for moments of tr ue connection, whether at work or at home.What I love most about Arasus advice is that she doesnt just apply it to your time away from work. Practicing being present outside the office ultimately makes you better at it when youre in the office. And this makes you a better employee (actively listening helps you better understand direction and take note of important social cues), and a more enjoyable co-worker to be around (actively paying attention makes people respect you and trust you to care for and support them).And, like I said above, its good for you. It encourages you to truly unwind, take in and appreciate your breaks, and connect with people you love, all of which are crucial for anyones happiness. Its almost as if its a form of mindfulness- crazy how that worksSo, what does being present look like? It starts with putting your phone away when youre out with people (Fun fact Doing so can start a chain reaction). And not looking at your computer when a colleagues talking to yo u (a.k.a., not bringing one to meetings). And its about setting an intention to give someone your full attention. Our minds are full of distractions- to-dos, worries, conversations were overthinking. Make the effort, for just a few minutes, to push those thoughts away (or, write them down for later) and really focus on whats happening in front of you.You wont regret it. And if a SVP of a major company can do it, it doesnt hurt for you to try, too.

Theres No Such Thing as a Right Career Decision - The Muse

Tzu siches No Such Thing as a Right Career Decision - The MuseTheres No Such Thing as a Right Career Decision I recently received a call from a distressed former graduate assistant who welches working in a new full-time job. In a downtrodden voice she told me, I made a huge mistake accepting this job. Among many concerns, she wasnt doing what she was hired to do, and she was- understandably- unhappy. Even so, I didnt see her decision as a mistake, and I told her as much. I reminded her that she made the best decision she could with the information she had. She was able to get to the geographical area where she wanted to be, and she had the opportunity to learn and build her experience in the role. Meet people, try things, and learn everything you can, I told her. But keep looking for the next opportunity. This is just the first stop in your careerI frequently encounter people struggling with a career decision they believe they have to get right or disaster is surely imminent.What if I take this job and I hate it?What if I select this major and later figure out I want to do something different?What if I take an opportunity with this company, while my friend takes an opportunity with another company- and her life is way better than mine?But this idea of right and wrong in your career path is a fallacy. There are only choices, and with every choice comes an opportunity. Deciding to join a committee could give you an opportunity to network. Deciding to apply for another position with your current company could give you an opportunity to advance faster than staying in your current role. Deciding to apply for a position with a new company could give you an opportunity to move to a great new geographic location. Deciding to get an MBA could give you an opportunity to increase your earning potential. See? Whatever decision you have to make, the fruchtwein important thing is that you make the most of it, rather than focusing on making the right decision. So how do you c apitalize on this no right or wrong philosophy? Here are four ideas to get you started.1. Accept That Not Everyone Has a Linear Career PathCareer Chaos Theory (sometimes known as Happenstance Theory) posits that many people follow non-linear career paths due to the unpredictable circumstances that influence our paths. You are probably familiar with many examples this the accountant who gets laid off and becomes an entrepreneur, the corporate CEO who follows a lifetime passion to become a minister, or the museum curator who moves home to care for an ailing parent and finds a niche in the business world. These twists and turns can look chaotic on the surface, but if you dig a bit, youll often find that the partie was able to take lessons and skills from one circumstance and transfer them successfully to another- by being flexible and open to change. A great foundational document to learn more about this is John Krumboltzs The Happenstance Learning Theory, which contains one of my favo rite career-related quotes of all time So if you are undecided about your future (as indeed every sensible person should be), dont call yourself undecided call yourself open-minded. Another powerful read is You Majored in What? Mapping Your Path From Chaos to Career by Katharine Brooks. The book is geared toward liberal arts majors whose career paths are often less obvious than some of their counterparts who majored in engineering or nursing. Regardless of your background, however, the book can help you recognize how to combine and capitalize on varied interests and skills. These works will help you shift your mindset away from panicky thinking about career decisions to an adaptive mindset that recognizes and builds on opportunities- no matter what choice you make.2. Incorporate the Word and in Your ReasoningWhen you are thinking or talking through a significant decision, stop using or and but- words that limit your options. Instead, try substituting the word and, which opens up pos sibilities. For example, lets say youre trying to decide if you should apply for a new position. With a limited mindset, you might think, Im interested in this new position, but I have security where I am. I can apply for that job or I can stay where I know I have a steady paycheck and am on track for a raise next year. When you substitute and, it sounds like this Im interested in this new position, and I like the security of my current position. From this shift, you realize youd need to ask some pointed questions about salary and prepare to negotiate if you pursue the new position. Suddenly, considering the role doesnt have to mean sacrificing stability.This simple change in the way you think and talk about your options strips away limitations and opens your eyes to new possibilities. 3. Make the Absolute Most of Any Decision You MakeWhenever you make a decision, throw yourself into it full-force. After all, a decision that required so much thought and energy is one that deserves o f a high level of commitment. For example, if you join a new committee, make a point of meeting everyone else on it. Make friends and share ideas. Aim to showcase your abilities among the committee members, but also try to learn from these new contacts. Maybe your specialty is communication, while someone else is an established project manager. Collaborate with that person to learn more about project management, which can help you in your future assignments- both with the committee and in your full-time role. This is also applicable when you decide not to do something. Maybe you decline joining a committee because of your current obligations. Throw yourself wholeheartedly into those commitments. Learn everything you can from the work you are doing and the people you are doing it with. Capitalizing on your decisions is the only way to move forward and continue to create opportunities for yourself.4. Keep in Mind That a Single Choice Doesnt Have to Define Your Entire CareerIf you purs ue something that ends up making you unhappy, dont panic. Tell yourself that its simply a stepping stone to something bigger and better. Think about it as a level in a game You have to earn as many points (e.g., knowledge, contacts, or skills) as possible to move to the next level. Then, look for an opportunity to make your move. The only mistake in a less-than-ideal situation is giving up. Everything is an opportunity to learn and grow, if you choose to learn and grow. You cant control everything in your environment, but to paraphrase Viktor Frankl, who survived Nazi concentration camps to become a renowned psychiatrist, you control your response to your environment. No one can stop you from learning. No one can stop you from building relationships. No one can stop you from promoting yourself. So, what happened with my unhappy former graduate assistant? She recently interviewed for a new job. She asked more and better questions during the interview process because of her previous e xperience. She was more discerning in evaluating the company and making a decision. Ultimately, she went for it. She has been in her new role about a month, and she absolutely loves it. Even though she disliked and was eager to leave her former job, she is adamant that she would not have been considered for her current role without the experience she gained in that role. Her previous job wasnt the wrong job for her. It was the right job at the time, which later opened the door for a better opportunity. There is no right and no wrong. There are just choices and opportunities.Photo of directional signs courtesy of Shutterstock.