| In this article I am presenting five proven strategies for | | | | also using Facebook to build up your network. The fact |
| career building which most of the really successful | | | | that Facebook has more than 300 million active users |
| people are applying. You might find that it is just | | | | is a good enough reason to use it as a job search and |
| common sense, but I assure you that applying these | | | | networking tool. For active job searchers this |
| strategies skyrocket your chances of developing | | | | network is probably beside Linkedin the most important |
| successfully your career. These are the five | | | | communication platform as many recruiters are |
| strategies: | | | | constantly scouring these two social networking sites |
| 1. Define a Career Target. | | | | to reach out to potential candidates. |
| The first step in the career building process is defining | | | | 4. Maintain yourself Up-to-Date |
| a concrete career target. What do you like to change | | | | Keep current on your job skills in technical and |
| in your career? Where do you want to be in two and | | | | non-technical skills, like project management, language |
| in five years? Defining a career target can mean for | | | | skills, leadership and conflict resolution, etc. You never |
| some people trying to get to the next step on the | | | | should see your career as something static but as part |
| career ladder, for other people it might signify doing | | | | of a continuous learning process. Most professions |
| something completely different. In any case, you should | | | | require training as routine part of their license |
| make a decision in order to actively develop your | | | | requirements, while other professions might not; |
| career instead of leaving your career development | | | | nevertheless, for all professions it is just common |
| just to luck or the humor of your boss or other | | | | sense to keep track with new trends and technologies |
| circumstances. By deciding first what you want, you | | | | if they are serious about your career. |
| can actively take part in this process and you will more | | | | 5. Develop your Personal Brand |
| rapidly and easily find opportunities that take you to the | | | | Your personal Reputation or your Personal Brand is a |
| subsequent career level and a higher life quality. | | | | critical career issue and managing this intangible asset |
| 2. Build up your Personal Network. | | | | is vital for today's forward-looking individuals and for |
| It is a reality that most of the job vacancies are | | | | your career development. As you advance in your |
| never posted in journals, newspapers or on-line and | | | | career, more and more people know your skills and |
| you only find them using your personal or business | | | | expertise and you become an expert on your field. |
| contacts - your "Network". This also sometimes is | | | | You can accelerate and enhance this personal brand |
| called the "hidden job market". Building your personal | | | | formation process by doing some public speaking at |
| network is a long-term process, so start as soon as | | | | trade exhibitions, specialized conferences or other |
| possible with people within your own organization | | | | platforms where you can share your experience with |
| which are the most easy to reach and meet. Building | | | | people working in the same field. A very powerful |
| up a network is not making hundreds of contacts in a | | | | technique is writing an article in your corporate |
| record time but to concentrate on developing | | | | newsletter or in a trade publication about your |
| relationships. Find ways to build on your connections by | | | | experience, industry branch or profession. The ideal |
| setting up an informational interview, inviting them to | | | | situation is if you are over time considered as a real |
| another event you are attending or talking to them in a | | | | expert in your business, not only as information source, |
| more personal atmosphere (e.g. during lunch time or | | | | but also for new career opportunities when they come |
| coffee break). If you are following these advises you | | | | to pass. |
| will open the most precious resource you have in | | | | Searching a Job is a short-term pursuit of a position |
| finding the job you want. | | | | that matches your financial and career goals. Career |
| 3. Use new Online Social Network Tool | | | | Planning and Building is much more than this. It is a long, |
| When you're seeking employment, Facebook, Linkedin | | | | progressive process of choosing education, training, |
| or Twitter are some of the most used social networks | | | | and jobs that fit your interests and skills. Don't do just |
| that you can use to build up your personal network. | | | | your job, go the "extra mile" and think about what you |
| Many people for instance are using with success | | | | really want in your career, build your personal network |
| Twitter as networking tool. Used in conjunction with | | | | and develop your personal brand as expert in your |
| LinkedIn, job search engines, and other job sites, | | | | field. If you wait until you are unemployed you're going |
| Twitter can help you make connections, find job listings, | | | | to loose too much time and finding a new job will be |
| and build a personal brand that will help boost your | | | | really hard work. |
| career and speed up your job search. I recommend | | | | |