For most people, the job search is a one-sided effort. You put hours of your time spamming your resume out to anyone with a listing on Monster.com, and not surprisingly, you hear back from much fewer than half of them. But, what if you could turn the tables? What if employers were coming to you with offers? What if (*gasp*) you actually felt desired?
It is difficult to do, it takes time, you have to commit, but it is possible. Since I graduated a year ago, I’ve had at least 3 employers approach me with job offers because they saw my digital presence, and the longer you commit to building yours, the more will come to you as well. Here are 4 steps to marketing yourself in the digital age:
1. Create a Personal Online Hub
I’m still sort of shocked that more people don’t realize the importance of having your own website, especially when it’s as easy as it is today. Your own website (hosted at your own domain name) is essentially the modern version of a resume. If you like the idea of having your own site, but you don’t know where to start, here are some of my favorite resources:
Workfolio – Designed as a portfolio and personal showcase site, Workfolio is the service in this list that most closely resembles a resume. That said, it’s much easier to fill out than a traditional resume – you can use Linkedin to quickly import your information. It’s not free, but at less than the price of two cups of coffee per month, it’s not expensive either.
Tumblr - This simple blogging platform recently acquired by Yahoo! allows you to set up and run a blog for free, but also allows you the flexibility to use custom themes, pages, and your own domain name. The biggest downside to Tumblr is that it can be difficult to export your site if you ever want to move to your own hosting for more features.
Wix - If unique visual appeal is at the top of your priority list, but you don’t know the first thing about digging into HTML or CSS, then Wix is probably your best option. Their drag-and-drop interface allows you to place things exactly where you like them, and if you’re willing to invest the time, you can create a truly beautiful site. The only issues I’ve had with Wix are that some layouts don’t seem to work well with mobile devices, and it’s not a great platform if you plan on making regular updates (eg: blogging).
WordPress.org – If professional grade flexibility and customization is your thing, and you’re not afraid to get down and dirty with some code, then downloading and installing your own version of WordPress is the way to go. You will need your own web hosting and domain name, but fortunately Thomas Frank of College Info Geek has put together an awesome comprehensive guide to getting your first WordPress website started. This route will take the most work, but it’s also going to net you the best website in the end.
2. Linkedin, Google+, Twitter – Pick Two
Your website will never get found if you just throw it out there on the internet alone. You’ve got to make people want to find it by getting active on social networks. Most everyone out there uses Facebook, but that’s not really a great social network for professional networking, so I’d suggest you sign up on LinkedIn, Google+, and Twitter, then choose two of those networks to get active on.
When I say “active,” here’s what I mean:
Post at least once per 1-2 days about a professional topic.
Follow 5-10 new people in your industry every week.
Complete as much of your profile as you are comfortable doing.
Take a professional headshot or get a friend who’s good with a camera to help you get a good profile pic.
Engage with people who have interesting things to say.
Listen more than you speak.
Make sure all profiles link back to your website from step 1.
Every social network is different, so expect to learn a lot as you go, but if you’re not sure what you should do, here’s a quick guide to the different major social networks.
3. Start Writing, Even if You’re Not a Writer
Everybody is writing or blogging these days. Business people, professors, lawyers, doctors – almost every industry has room for experienced (or even inexperienced) professionals to get their views out on the internet. The reason for this is simple: writing shows people what you know and what you’re learning.
The problem most young people have with writing is staying consistent. This vitally important piece of the puzzle is what sets good bloggers apart, and it shows employers that you have the drive to stick with something. To an employer, finding your dead blog says that you’re not reliable, and nobody wants that.
4. Remember, Digital isn’t Everything
I work in a web-based world, so I have to continually remind myself of the fact that real life networking still matters. No matter how many followers you get on Twitter, there’s no substitute for a handshake and sharing a cup of coffee. Real world relationships can easily start in the digital realm, so don’t be afraid to meet up with people when you can.
There are dozens of other ways you can market yourself online, but if you have your own tips, I’d love to hear them in the comments below.