No matter whether you're searching for a career while at your existing job, or trying to start over after a round of down-sizing, learning how to market yourself is key to your success. And with all the tools available, it's easier than you think.
Imagine yourself as a product: Am I a well-known brand, like Coke? Or am I unknown? If you're like most of us, you fall into the second category. Increase your visibility among your peers by joining professional organizations or offering yourself as a resource to the media for interviews. Start an industry blog and link to other blogs in your geographic region or field of expertise.
Business networking online
Numerous networking tools exist online - There's LinkedIn, Facebook, BrightFuse, Twitter, and many others. Here's a strategy to making these tools work for you:
1. Get yourself on at least one social networking website LinkedIn is a good start because it focuses specifically on business networking. You'll need to become a member and create a profile so others can find you online.
2. Create your network. Search for friends and former co-workers, alumni groups, trade organizations and groups you'd like to be associated with. Be bold it never hurts to ask. And once someone is in your network, check out their networks!
3. Let your network know you're "in-between jobs" and looking for work. You can use your "status update" to let people know that you're looking. You can also ask your network for recommendations you can use for your next interview.
4. Visit the website of a company you'd like to work at. Find the names of people in desired positions and use company directories and search engines to find out what kinds of career paths they've had. Company profiles can also let you know the next career step people took after leaving the company.
5. LinkedIn has a job search engine. Try and find which person posted the job that might be the hiring manager, a key person to know if you want to work there.
6. If you want to expand your search into other social networking tools, Slate.com has a primer on how to job search on Facebook and Twitter.
