Making an Impact - Social Media and Online Networking Skills

Facebook / Twitter / LinkedIn / Blogging - Social media & using it to get a job

Today Social Networks

• How can Social Networks and Digital Media can be used in:

• Communication • Careers choice & recruitment

• Passive v Active (Research v Communication)• Constructing a Social Media Profile• Social Media as a Career

Traditional Face to face networking…Working the room……

Now augmented by online social media

Networking“a group of people who exchange information, contacts and experience for professional or social purposes”

(oxford dictionary)

“ Its not what you know, but who you know

and who knows you that matters! ”

It’s increasingly an expectation that you will have some form of Online Social Media presence.

This is a growing part of the recruitment & careers processBBC overview of Electronic Applications 2011

CNN Money Feb 2014Social Media can be used for:

1.Researching what’s out there, what people do & job roles2.Finding vacancies3.Communication between recruiters / candidates & vice versa4.Reflecting on what you are offering – CPD process

Networking can help you to…

• Generate careers ideas• Find out about jobs you’ve not considered• Find out what a job is really like – ‘insider information’• Ask how your skills and interests fit those of the job• Explore the hidden job market- where jobs aren’t advertised

• Opportunity to ask for work experience

Online NetworksA professional looking online presence can help you to make contact with people in the sector you are interested in

Examples of your creativity on web pages, blogs, online videos are important in media/ creative industries

Linkedin research link

10 million in UK Sept 2012 = 1/3 of the workforce2014 16million (i.e. ½ the UK workforce)

Careers Research using LinkedIn

• www.linkedin.com/edu/university-of-sussex-12726

Passive v ActivePassive • Looking at people related to you or where you are going• Looking at what other people are saying / doing • Reading Blogs • Researching companies

Active• Communicating = liking / sharing / asking / blogging / content creation

Unsure about networking, remember…!

• We all have networks

• You have probably already used networking skills (finding work experience/ part time work)

• Most people are flattered to be asked for advice

• There are many established networks that you can use

• It never hurts to ask someone (tactfully) for help - they can always say no!

Look after your network

• Follow up and keep in touch

• Say “Thank you!”

• Share good news!

• Offer to help others

There are many tribes in the world……..

with different dress codes…..Actual and Virtual

check what is appropriate!

RecruiterExpectations

Offer

Academic

Personal Work

Portfolio Evidence

--------------

Your ongoing portfolio

Time

Data Protection

Think carefully about :• Medium selection• Content Selection• Privacy • Security

Social Media as a Career

• Associated to IT Digital Media / Marketing & Advertising

• Linkedin Sussex Alumni

• Wired Sussex

• Social Media Jobs The Guardian

Need more help?Come into the Careers & Employability Centre

Library Ground Floor / North East Corner Check the website www.sussex.ac.uk/careers

• Book a one-to-one with a Careers Adviser• 01273 678429• sussexplus@sussex.ac.uk