Leverage Social Media to Get Your Break

Jeremy Juhasz, Social Media Strategist at EMSI Public Relations

It’s only natural. We spend a lot of time on our cellphones these days. If you think about it, the amount of time we incorporate technology into our everyday routine is pretty remarkable. Even more astonishing is our time spent just on social media. For the majority of the time, for most of us, social media is an outlet for entertainment rather than a productivity tool. However, social media provides each one of us the availability to ultimately leverage our career aspirations.

Here’s three ways how:

• Make Connections/Build Relationships: One of the initial ways we use social media is to help identify key influencers and players in the industry you wish to pursue. We connect with these individuals to get their insight because we respect their expertise. Furthermore, these initial connections are the foundation as in traditional networking. Here, though, you’re virtually offering an initial handshake. In order to make that first impression worthwhile, you need to present yourself as professional, making sure your online profile—no matter which network—is fully complete and polished. An initial connection is splendid, but a conversation and the long-term benefits of an online relationship take it to the next level. Target those key personalities in the companies and organizations you would like to work for. First it signifies your interest, but more so, the established connection sets you up for future interaction. With time, you’re a constant reminder. It demonstrates and eagerness and persistence, the type of aggressiveness necessary to stand out from the crowd.

• View the Latest Trends In Your Intended Industry: If you’re in the midst of a job hunt and you know in general what you’re looking for, its important not only to follow individuals, but to also follow trends and conversations in your industry. The advantage of staying connected through social media will keep you in the loop on the latest issues surrounding your jobs of interest.

• Be the First to Know when an Opportunity Presents Itself: Timing is everything. When you’re active on social media, you have the ability to scour for opportunities. Better yet, opportunities are alerted to you. Set up your social media to alert you through keywords and search queries. Many times, you can establish these searches to send you emails when a job opening occurs. If you can invest some time setting up your alerts and establishing some key phrases to monitor, those opportunities are far less likely to slip through your grasp.

We spend a lot of time on your phones, on the internet and on our social media throughout the day. Beyond the entertainment it provides, use these free resources to build your network and prioritize trends so you won’t miss your chance.

By: Jeremy Juhasz

About Jeremy Juhasz

Jeremy Juhasz is a social media strategist at EMSI Public Relations. Jeremy has years of experience managing social media marketing for the nonprofit sector, including launching social media and online strategies for Feeding America Food Bank and Goodwill affiliates. His multi-media background includes work as a newspaper reporter and as a marketing professional. He’s a graduate of Alfred University and attended Kent State’s School of Communication and Information, public relations. You can follow him on Twitter: @JeremyJuhasz.