Here are some tips for using different social media platforms in order to help build your career network:
Know what you want. Be clear and direct about what you want. What is it that you’re looking for? Don’t be afraid to ask about potential opportunities directly. Keep in mind that it pays to be appreciative and sincere whenever you send a message, especially if you’re the one asking for a favor.
Join a Facebook group. It’s easy to join a group on Facebook — and you can connect with people in the same field or business community. If the group is closed or invite-only, feel free to request access by clicking the “Ask to Join” button. Often there are people in the group who are willing to be of help to fellow group members.
Mention people on Twitter. The best way to catch someone’s attention on Twitter is to mention his or her name in a tweet. Simply type “@username” in your tweet to notify him or her. This is a great way to start a conversation.
Don’t be afraid to use hashtags on Twitter. Typing the # symbol is an effective way to categorize your tweets. Once a person clicks on a hashtag, other tweets marked with that word or phrase will show up. Maximizing the use of hashtags will help you meet new people and discover new contacts to follow as well.
Contact event organizers on Meetup.com. Event organizers tend to be well connected, so it’s a great idea to reach out to them and ask them to help you find other appropriate people in your field of expertise. Don’t forget to send a nice email and ask for what you want specifically. It also helps to attend an event to solidify the connection, while bringing the opportunity to even more professional connections.
Connect with your LinkedIn contacts personally. Since more users on LinkedIn prefer to connect with people they know, don’t hesitate to make the first move to meet a potential connection. If the person is in another city or state, try to coordinate if you both are attending an event or conference in the same town. You can also make use of the tech world by scheduling a meeting through Google Hangout or Skype. Always make a strong impression by knowing what you want. Do your research and be prepared.
Discovering new leads and building your career online is important on the road to success. Take advantage of the different social media platforms available and discover new career opportunities.
