Get Connected to Get a Job

Years ago I was told that a large percentage of jobs go unadvertised – recommendations are passed on through word of mouth – and before you know it, the vacancy is filled. Whenever I have been in charge of teams, I have certainly followed this approach – after all, I already trust and respect the people in my team, so it makes sense that their recommendation carries weight. (It also means that the new person is likely to be a good “fit” – which to me, outweighs the need for particular skills – but that is another post.)

But the next best thing to a personal recommendation is a “social recommendation”. That is, a recommendation from someone within your social network. Now, some people have large social networks thanks to Twitter, Facebook and blogging, but even discounting this fact – we are unlikely to recommend someone whom we don’t know or don’t trust. This means that a social recommendation can be acted on with some confidence.

Stan Johnson is well aware of this fact. Not only does he write the respected Australian marketing blog, BrandDNA, he regularly writes a feature article Around the Blogosphere for Marketing Magazine. This month he suggests that we all Get Connected. As Stan says:

A blog is not for everyone, but done well it can help boost your profile in industry. They are great as an online CV. You can post details of yourself, samples of your work. And they give you a web presence of your own.

So as the recession rolls on, rather than just turning up each day and staying out of the way of the HR Director, why not get working on your social media profile and connections. You never know when they’re going to come in handy.