How to Get that Job - Online

In a tight job market, building and maintaining an online presence is critical to networking and job hunting.

Done right, it is an important tool for networking and useful tool for employers to understand a jobseeker's talent and experience.

"Done wrong, it can rule an applicant out of a job.

1. Stop - think before you post.

If you use social media forums assume a future boss will read everything you share online.  Online concerns about inappropriate comments, unsuitable photos and videos have resulted in many a candidate missing out on that job.

2. Develop a personal brand statement.

Prepare a personal brand statement.   This is a subtle way of letting people know you are open to new positions.  Outline who you are, what you do, and what audience you serve, so that prospective employers get a feeling for how you can benefit their company.  This personal brand statement should be your sales document and should be embedded with key words linked to the kind of position you want.

3. Limit yourself to a few social-networking sites.

Maintain the personal touch not a machine-gun approach.  A few well done online profiles on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn is far more effective than blanketing social media networks with half-done profiles and out-of-date profiles.

4. Choose connections / friends wisely.

It's a quality game more than a quantity game. Only add people to your networking site that you actually know or with whom you've done business.  A recruiter may contact one of your connections and ask about you so make sure they are people you know and trust.

When networking with someone online spend an extra five to ten seconds to write a line or two about how you know 'mutual friends', why you'd like to connect to them and that you're more than happy to introduce them to others in your network.

5. In-person networking beats online applications.

Jobseekers only applying for jobs online instead of combining in-person networking will miss out on 'hidden' opportunities.  Most high-level jobs are not posted online and in-person networking is needed to uncover these higher-level positions.