This is the third week of our summer 2009 interactive
project for sharing ideas about how you, as a job
seeker with a visual impairment, can effectively use
social media for networking so you can gain meaningful
employment.
It's now estimated that one in five employers use
social networking sites to research prospective
employees. That number continues to grow.
Many recruiters now consider LinkedIn a "must use"
tool for locating active and passive candidates for
jobs -- especially those with unusual qualifications.
But, as a job seeker, you can turn the tables. You can
use social networking to get connected with the
specific individual who is going to make the hiring
decision about your dream job. And, you can make that
connection without leaving your keyboard.
By being proactive and savvy within a social network
such as LinkedIn, you can eliminate much of the leg
work involved in getting connected (and staying
connected) with key people as you carry out your job
marketing campaign.
For a picture of what was involved in networking with
company contacts a decade ago, see "Making
Appointments by Telephone for Your
Information/referral Interviews" at
http://http://www.esight.org/view.cfm?x=1015
Also see "Writing Effective Thank You Letters" at
http://www.esight.org/view.cfm?x=1078
Today, social networking has streamlined the process,
but the fundamentals of networking have not changed.
The social media culture assumes people want to
connect and stay connected with others they find
interesting and helpful. It's built on mutual need.
And, social networking people want to help.
But, as in the past, you need to tell your fellow
community members how they can help you. Telling
people how you can help them and what you need is
paramount.
So, on LinkedIn, for example, you must have a clear
reason why you're involved and have a presence that is
compelling.
To obtain that clarity, as in informational
interviewing, you need to first listen. Listen to get
a feel for how any specific social network works, what
norms you're expected to follow as a community member
and what topics are especially relevant for your
targeted audience.
Then you can become active on a routine basis.
Here are seven suggestions for how to do that: Make
new connections daily. Answer questions daily. Ask
questions. Use recommendations weekly. Participate in
the forums. Join targeted groups. Start a group of
your own.
For specific ideas on how you can apply this type
of networking to your job search campaign, go to this
week's entry on the eSight Networking Forum at
http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=1614
Then, on the eSight Networking Forum, give us your
thoughts about the following question:
In your specific situation, how can today's social
media help you connect with people who have the open
job you want?
Please share your thoughts by posting them at
http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=1612
Read all the postings from eSight members at
http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=1613
Invite your friends and acquaintances to submit
their comments.
Did someone forward you this newsletter? If so,
welcome. I invite you to subscribe and join the eSight
community at
http://www.esight.org/member_registration.cfm
Liz Seger
Facilitator
eSight Careers Network(tm)
http://www.esight.org
eSight Resources:
Community News
http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=1541
Resource Sharing
http://www.esight.org/view.cfm?x=1982
Search all eSight Job Postings at
http://www.esight.org/search_jobs.cfm
Resources for Job Hunters
http://www.esight.org/job_resources.cfm
Archives for eSight NetWork News
http://www.esight.lighthouse.org/cgi-bin/enn.cgi
About eSight NetWork News
One of the benefits of membership in the eSight
community is your subscription to eSight NetWork News,
which is brought to you from Lighthouse International,
111 East 59th Street, New York, NY 10022-1202.
Founded in 1905, Lighthouse International is a leading
non-profit organization dedicated to fighting vision
loss through prevention, treatment and empowerment. It
achieves this through clinical and rehabilitation
services, education, research and advocacy.
For more information about vision loss and its causes,
contact Lighthouse International at 1-800-829-0500 or
visit http://www.lighthouse.org
You are receiving this newsletter because you have
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