Online Image and NetworkingUniversity Career Center110 Burge Union785-864-3624KUCareerHawk.comM-F: 8am-5pmOpen Year-Round

Today’s Agenda

Introduction to Networking Cleaning Up Your ImageBuilding Your BrandGetting ConnectedMaintaining Your Image

What is networking?Connecting with others to gather information and build professional relationships

Effective job search strategy70-90% of jobs are never “posted”Survey of 48 large companies suggests that1…

Most positions are filled internally, but…Referrals are the #1 source of external hires

1Source: Crispin, G. & Mehler, M. (Feb 2010). CareerXroads 9th Annual Source of Hire Study: Meltdown in 2009 and What It Means for a 2010 Recovery. Accessed electronically May 10, 2010 at: http://www.careerxroads.com/news/SourcesOfHire10.pdf

Online NetworkingSocial Networking in Plain EnglishBooming component of Web 2.0Increasingly popular job search tool

Connect with your network and to new contactsPersonal branding platformResearch & connect with employers

Cleaning Up Your ImageNo longer uncommon for employers to screen internship/job candidates online

83% use search engines2 like Google45% use social networking sites3

11% plan to start using them soon35% reported not hiring a candidate based on negative

online content18% reported positive online content helped finalize a

hiring decision2Phaneuf, Ingrid (2009). Who’s Googling You? Job Postings, Spring Edition, 12-13.3CareerBuilder.com (2009). Forty-five Percent of Employers Use Social Networking Sites to Research Job Candidates, CareerBuilder Survey Finds. Accessed October 9, 2009 at: http://tiny.cc/I1bXi

Cleaning Up Your ImageDelete unused or outdated accountsIf you aren’t using it or wont monitor it, get rid of it

Clean out your dirtAny photos, videos, text, etc. that could be “offensive”

Build a clean up crewTalk to friends about “keeping it clean”

Keep out pestsUse your privacy settings to limit access

Building Your BrandDevelop your professional “brand”

Who are you as a professional? What can you contribute?

Post your brand onlineProfessional web “hang outs”Complete a LinkedIn profileCreate a professional blog

Promote your brandEmail SignaturesResumes, Cover Letters, Business CardsPersonal Website

Getting ConnectedFinding Contacts

Who You KnowYour Extended NetworkRelevant Online Groups

Industry-specificFor job seekers (entry-level, recent grads, etc.)KU-affiliated

Company Social Networking SitesTargeted Online Search

Getting ConnectedPrepare to Network…

Know your job target and networking purposeKnow your “talking points” – refer back to your

brandPrepare thoughtful questions – show you are

engaged and interestedHave a resume ready – you never know who will

want to read it!

Getting ConnectedBuild Strong Connections

Communicate Like a ProUse proper punctuation and grammar (no emoticons, slang,

swearing, etc.)Write clear, concise messages to respect their timeMonitor when and how often you send messages

Ask for advice and information – not a job! Show gratitude – always send a formal thank you emailKeep the door open – ask if you can stay in touch (and

do)

Maintaining Your ImageUpdate Often

Update your professional profiles frequently so that your online image is up-to-date and accurate

Google Your NameSearch for yourself at least once each month

Keep it CleanContinue to monitor what you and your friends

post – even after you’re hired or when you aren’t job searching – your image always matters!

Next Steps

What is one small thing you can do to jumpstart your online

networking process this week?

Thank You!University Career Center110 Burge Union785-864-3624M-F: 8am-5pmOpen Year-Round