There are new rules to the job hunt and savvy people, those who utilize technology and networking, are the ones who are at the top of the game. Here are 8 tips to market yourself online and gat a job.
1. Create your own website or blog. Creating your own website or blog is a great way to share who you are and what you’re about to prospective employers. They’ll be able to learn a lot about you online and get a feel for your personality, professionalism, and goals. Take great care to be professional. Don’t use your website or blog as a place to vent or complain about anything.
2. Be positive, share information about your industry, and make sure it’s a professional, clean and easily navigated site. If you’re seeking a job in technology then you can get more advanced with your website.
3. Showcase your talents and strengths. Be sure to have an about page where you can publish your bio, portfolio, resume and contact information.
4. Update your website and become active online. Connect with and join job searching forums and associations related to your desired industry. Post on those forums and blogs and share your interaction on your own website or blog by linking to them, republishing your comments, or listing the forums and associations in your blog roll. Become an active member of the online community and always behave professionally. You never know who is reading your comments and you want to put the best foot forward at all times.
5. Utilize off line networking tools as well. Just because you’re not presently employed, doesn’t mean you can’t have business cards or attend industry functions. Attend seminars and webinars in your industry. Pass out your business card with your contact information on it and by all means include your website link in your contact information.
6. Participate in social networking and add value. Don’t post about what you had for dinner but rather the great article you read in your leading industry magazine and your thoughts regarding the article.
7. Provide your contact information on your website and in your forum or blog signatures. If they don’t know how to contact you and can’t find the information quickly and easily, they won’t contact you.
8. Respond immediately when someone contacts you. Consider actually setting up a unique email address for job related inquiries and website emails and create an autoresponder for that email. That way each time someone contacts you they receive an immediate and professional response that says you’re happy to have received their email and will get back to them as soon as possible.
The same holds true for your phone number. If you’re going to be unavailable to answer the phone then make sure your voice mail message is short, and to the point – professional. No one wants to listen to all two and a half minutes of your favorite song or your dog barking in the background.
The key to marketing yourself online is to put yourself out there and to be active in your industry’s community. Be positive, proactive and professional. It’ll pay off!