Connections can help career

  • By Shari Stauch
    The Job Coaches
  • Posted: Friday, December 17, 2010 12:01 a.m.
    UPDATED: Friday, March 23, 2012 12:50 p.m.
  • Text size: A A A
Job Coach Shari Stauch
/ProvidedJob Coach Shari Stauch

Making connections is great; leveraging them to further our careers and those of women throughout the Lowcountry is even better. Today, connecting "what we know" with "who we know" lets us move our connections beyond networking events. Yes, live interaction still is best, but what we do in between those live events is what keeps us in the loop. Here are 10 easy steps to better leverage your social connections:

1. Build your brand. Yes, you are a brand. Marketing yourself, like marketing any product, will take a bit of advanced planning. What do you want to accomplish with your social networking? Are you seeking a new career path? Are you trying to build a customer base for your own new business? Determine your "who" before you start randomly promoting your "what."

2. Create a profile. A clear, concise profile should create a compelling, focused message about you. Your online profile doesn't need to be long (150 to 250 words is usually enough). Include a brief overview of your experience, your skills and what you will bring to the table. Include a head shot. Use keywords that are relevant in your field, such as "training and development professional." These help recruiters and executives find profiles of people aligned with their own company goals.

3. Launch into cyberspace. Armed with a clean profile and photo, load these up to sites specific to your career goals, i.e. LinkedIn, MeetUp and/or networking/membership sites aligned with your career interests.

4. Google it. Establish your profile on Google as well, and sign up for free Google Alerts to keep up on trends in your industry. You can type any keyword search term into Google Alerts to be alerted on news, blogs and websites from fashion retail to financial planning. This will keep you apprised of current events in your career field, and show you websites where you may wish to engage further by joining, making comments, or referring the post to others in your network who may benefit from the information.

5. Offer sage advice. Comments you make online need to be thoughtful and written with your reader in mind. Connecting with others requires engaging, memorable content, not just exposure. Stay positive, specific and, when possible, use those aforementioned keywords.

6. Perception is reality. Know that how you engage online tells folks how you may behave in person. Your online profiles and comments will create a perception of you as a professional, so take the extra 60 seconds to check spelling and put your best self forward, even if it's only a quick comment on a blog. You never know how many people may see that comment or how long it will "live" in cyberspace. The Internet may seem like a casual environment, but aim to project the same image in the electronic world as you would in a job interview, and that includes interaction on more social sites such as Facebook. Assume that any potential recruiter or executive will Google your name and see your interactions.

7. Try tweeting. The virtually untapped power of Twitter lies in its "saved search" function. Key in a search term (typically the same keyword searches on which you're getting those Google Alerts) and up will come tweets, in real time, using those same keywords. You then can return to that saved search any time for the newest real-time results, which is a great way to keep up on news in your field and find relevant Tweeters to follow.

8. Time management. Choose networks that are suited to your networking and professional goals, and have a personal goal in mind for how (and how long) you'll engage with them each week. For example, you may want to write one blog a week, follow five new contacts on Twitter, join one group on LinkedIn and/or check in with your networks 15 or 30 minutes a day. Setting limits on your online surfing will make the experience something to look forward to each day. (I take my daily dose of social engagement with a morning cup of coffee.)

9. R-E-S-P-E-C-T: It's critical to be respectful of others' opinions and time online. If someone responds negatively to one of your comments, resist the urge to shout back with your keyboard. Remember that prospective clients or employers may be viewing your comments and forming opinions about you based on your cyber-manners. Likewise, keep your comments concise; quick statements make lasting impressions. Long blocks of text can be construed as timewasters, and they're typically ignored.

10. Life in the fast lane! The information "superhighway" offers plenty of opportunity for interactions, so don't be shy; ask for what you want. Inquire about job postings, client introductions, or information you need to complete a project. There's no shortage of information or people willing to share insights. Ask colleagues to post recommendations about your work. Strong testimonials and opinions from co-workers and clients are the currency of online networking. Likewise, be willing to offer up your own kind words about clients and colleagues you enjoy doing business with.

See you in cyberspace!

Shari Stauch is CEO of Shark Marketing Co., a certified executive coach and president-elect of Charleston's Center for Women, as well as a moderator for the center's Women Writers Series, in which she conducts workshops on website marketing and image branding. She can be reached at shari@sharkmarketingco.com.

The Job Coaches are experienced volunteers from the Center for Women's Job Counseling Program. Ask them a question by calling 763-7333 or e-mailing info@c4women.org. If you would like further assistance, make a counseling appointment; a donation of $35 is requested.