Skyscrapers, Social Media and YOUR Job Search
Today we have a great guest blog post by Mike Dwyer the the business development manager at Paladin staffing. I enjoy bringing people on that are passionate and knowledgeable about their niche. Enjoy the article and read more about Mike at the end.
They are connected, trust me
Why aren’t skyscrapers paying attention to the recession??
I am mesmerized by the construction of a skyscraper near my office. I like to watch the progress daily from my window, and I’ve noticed it jump from two to eleven floors in just a few weeks.
I’ve watched this building RISE as I’ve watched the market FALL. Why? doesn’t the skyscraper watch the news? How can it continue to grow in the face of such awful economic times?
The answer? Because it can. It’s immune from market sways, mass layoffs and currency devaluations. Its value is in its constancy and its ability to weather the times. This huge, steel construct next to my office, like dozens of others in this city, is grounded in a firm foundation, and likely will be there long after I am gone. Indeed, some of these buildings have been around since the first depression, housing hundreds of companies and thousands of people. We are neither the first nor the last to live and work in these corporate structures. Like them or not — they are firm for the long term (rhymes).
FACT: The internet can be viewed as the “skyscraper” of the 21st century. It’s enduring, is firmly planted in the corporate world, and keeps growing, adding layer upon layer even in these tough times. The internet is a massive composition of everything social and professional. Everything you do, whether it’s a personal comment on a recipe, an academic essay on the migration of penguins, or a magnum opus on corporate trends in diversity, can be published online and remain there indefinitely. (I’ve recently discovered blogs I wrote back in 2002.)
FACT: All of us can build “skyscrapers”. You can use the internet to your advantage, and particularly in your job search by becoming part of the conversation. Brick by brick, we all can become an integral part of the corporate skyline by participating in and constructing online profiles, discussions, blogs, and contributing to the development of this eternal edifice. In this competitive job market, however, contributors to the corporate world need to stand out in new ways. Building your personal brand and marketing your experience and talents via online media can be similar to building a skyscraper – you are constructing your own personal monument that will be noticeable, will endure the test of time, and will be recession-proof. These days, it’s not easy, but with hard work and High Anxiety comes reward. Social Media, i.e., LinkedIn, Twitter, or over 50 and on Facebook give you the tools to construct your corporate image, so that you’re not standing in the shadows.
FACT: No matter how bad the job market seems, industry and commerce move forward. Companies ARE looking for candidates, and they are finding them with the help of social media. With over 40 million users, LinkedIn is a major part of the new landscape. Recruiters are using LinkedIn services to vet candidates prior to the first phone screen. Also, referrals from existing employees have always been a favorite source for employers.
How do staffing shops specifically Paladin (my company) compete/join in this new world where access points to hiring managers have multiplied so significantly? One component is using social media daily to build a larger network of marketing and creative talent/clients through relationship building content and 1on1 interaction. We are out there everyday working on growing our network by posting on LinkedIn, interacting on Twitter, connecting content on Digg and starting up a Fan Page site on Facebook. We are focused on building content through blogs, trends analysis and executive polling. We also pass along content we feel is relevant to our target audiences through the aforementioned channels.
Lastly, there isn’t a day that goes by we don’t see something about Twitter. It’s undeniably a great way to have a one on one conversation with peers in your target organization. The membership in Twitter alone is doubling on a monthly basis and there is seemingly no end in sight.
I could go on and on regarding social media. I realize it can be a scary endeavor putting yourself “out there” but The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.
You are your own brand and your contributions endure online like skyscrapers. Get involved and build your foundation.
About the Guest Author:
Mike is currently the business development manager at Paladin staffing. He has focused his social media networking experience in business development (Fortune 500) and candidate recruitment (mid to senior level marketing executives). Currently he is an avid user of LinkedIn, Twitter: user name “Cruiter”, Digg and Facebook to create 1to1 relationships with candidates and clients. I have been effective in meeting many “passive” job seekers who have very relevant experience through LinkedIn and recently started utilizing Twitter to gather information on specific topics I am interested in. Also, on my off time for the past 10 years I have been attempting to perform improv comedy at The Playground Theater in Chicago.
Mike on Twitter
Mike on LinkedIn
Keith Burtis is a social media and digital marketing professional. If you or your company are looking to REV THE ENGINE on your digital efforts contact Keith today! Specialties include: Blog design/Integration, Custom Facebook Pages, Social, Digital and Interactive Content strategies.
Lisa Miller
Kelly Mountain
Andrey Nagorny
Great post Mike-well thoughout and well written