Home > Planning > Using New Media to Find a New Career

Using New Media to Find a New Career

By: Maggie Lonsdale BA (hons) - Updated: 4 Sep 2012 | comments*Discuss
 
New Media Career Profile Facebook

New media has opened up so many options for making a career change that it would be a real waste not to utilise them.

You no longer need to rely on unreliable recruitment consultants who say they’ll call you back and don’t, or send off unsuitable applications that waste your time and theirs.

New media is available to everyone. It’s a great, democratic way to find a new job because you really feel as though you can make something happen. Getting to grips with how to use new media to your employment advantage is really not difficult. There are a few key websites that are the latest places for ‘getting yourself out there’, so you don’t need to be languishing on Friends Reunited any more!

LinkedIn

This is a highly respected website where you can put a professional profile of yourself up for other LinkedIn members to see and search for. The main advantage to LinkedIn is that you can ‘recommend’ people that you know in a professional capacity, such as ex-colleagues or great freelancers, with members able to see how many recommendations you have, giving weight to your profile.

Take the time to write a decent profile – keep it factual and professional – this is not a site for jokes. Write a précis of your experience and give details of education, training etc. Some people like to put a photograph too – again, make it a smart, passport type photo rather than the one where you’ve got a cocktail in your hand on holiday.

Use LinkedIn to find a new career by building your list of contacts and seeing who they know buy looking at their list of contacts. Update your status to show that you’re looking for employment opportunities. It’s also a good idea to be active in relevant LinkedIn discussion groups.

Twitter

Everybody’s talking about Twitter. It may be the golden site for ages, or it may fall by the wayside pretty swiftly, but, either way, at the moment it’s a great place to see and be seen.

It’s easy to start up – go to the site and make yourself a profile. You can use your own name or something that shows more about your skills – TheCopywriter or WebGuru for example (these are probably already taken).

It’s certainly worth uploading your website homepage as your background, or at least something to personalise your account. Use a photograph of yourself – not too wacky, or too plain.

The get tweeting! Don’t just go straight for ‘I’m looking for work’ because nothing will happen. Follow people connected to your field and post relevant links to news stories that affect your business.

MySpace

While many new media experts are saying that MySpace has had its day, with far too many new bands and teenage girls battling for attention that no serious people actually use it anymore, you can still get some mileage out of it, particularly if you’re looking for a job in the music business. It’s worth having a profile that you keep updated and you can use it to send to potential employers if you don’t have your own website.

Facebook

You have to be very careful with Facebook because lots of people have very personal profiles even when they have customers, clients or employers as their ‘friends’.

It’s best to decide how you want to use Facebook and stick to it – have two profiles if necessary – but don’t be surprised if you don’t get snapped up by a potential employer if you’ve got negative comments about work, suggestive photos or generally unprofessional information on your profile.

As long as you keep it ‘straight’ in terms of status updates, photos etc you can use Facebook to help find a new career by posting about looking for a new job, joining relevant groups or by asking professionals in your industry to be your ‘friend’ and then building a rapport with them.

You might also like...
Share Your Story, Join the Discussion or Seek Advice..
Why not be the first to leave a comment for discussion, ask for advice or share your story...

If you'd like to ask a question one of our experts (workload permitting) or a helpful reader hopefully can help you... We also love comments and interesting stories

Title:
(never shown)
Firstname:
(never shown)
Surname:
(never shown)
Email:
(never shown)
Nickname:
(shown)
Comment:
Validate:
Enter word:
Topics
Latest Comments
  • Rich
    Re: Working with Animals
    Good Morning. I am 55 years old and have been working in social care for the last 12 years. I have always loved animals and have a high…
    25 February 2024
  • Alpha
    Re: Becoming a Mechanic
    I love this content, it was helpful, check this out also.
    31 January 2024
  • Angelina
    Re: Finding Work Experience as an Adult
    Hi I'm 31 years old and have a disability I'm looking for work experience either in a nursery or as a receptionist at a…
    8 October 2023
  • Nimmi
    Re: Finding Work Experience as an Adult
    Hi i am looking for work experience in account assistant position. Thank you
    26 September 2023
  • Nimmi
    Re: Finding Work Experience as an Adult
    Hi I am looking for work experience in account assistant as I am having Acca and BA degree qualifications. I am available…
    26 September 2023
  • Shaz
    Re: How to Become an Insurance Broker
    Hi We would like to start private hire insurance business. I need more information about this. Can you please contact me…
    19 September 2023
  • Bron
    Re: Finding Work Experience as an Adult
    would like some help or advice on how to gain more experience that will help me get back into work
    16 June 2023
  • Rob
    Re: Becoming a Mechanic
    Hi. I'm 57 and have been working at a dealership for just 4 months. I love cars and would be an honour to be able to service or repair them!…
    28 April 2023
  • clarkey
    Re: Becoming a Mechanic
    I have just started back at college on my final year. I am on level 3 Motor vehicle and I am a 57 year old woman. You are never too old. Go…
    22 September 2022
  • Philipsmac
    Re: Becoming a Carer
    I live in Lagos Nigeria. I would like to register for social care training program. After graduation, does the certificate qualify me to migrate…
    13 September 2022