This document discusses leveraging social networks for global job opportunities. It covers digital identity, networking, job search strategies using social media, personal branding, and informational interviews. Examples are provided of using LinkedIn, networking websites, and personal branding resources to aid in one's job search internationally. Resources like YouTube videos and websites are listed to provide additional information on using social media for professional networking and opportunities.

1. Leveraging
Social
Networks for
Global Job
Opportunities
Renate Donnovan,
MA. CEC. CHt
LinkedIn address:
http://ca.linkedin.com/in/re
natedonnovan
Created for the Global Job Fair, 2010. Nigeria. ©2010 Donnovan

2. Agenda
 Introduction
 Video on the Social Media Revolution
 Digital Identity
 (Brief) Over of Networking
 Job Search Strategies
 Examples

3. Social Media Revolution 2
 Youtube Video
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFZ0z5
Fm-Ng&feature=related
 For more videos on Social Media go to
www.youtube.com and search. There are
hundreds.

4. Important Points from the
Video
 80% of companies use social media
 95% use LinkedIn to job search
 83% of companies have a Facebook
page
 Some companies hire staff specifically to
monitor the social media sites of their staff

5. 60% of companies “Google”
potential candidates
 If they don’t like what they find—you
DON’T get an interview (or the sale)!

6. Digital Identity
University of Reading (UK) http://thisisme.reading.ac.uk
defines ‘Digital Identity’ as:
 “the persona an individual presents across all the
digital communities in which he or she is
represented.”
 It’s who you are online.
 DI has two parts:
 What you say/do online (you can control)
 What others say about you (no control)

7. Why is DI Important?
Because social media has:
 changed the way we think about privacy
 Become an important part of job searching and building a business
in North America
 Employers and potential customers “Google” candidates and
monitor social media sites
 What you do online remains there forever
 They are becoming a primary recruitment and job search tool
 Social media and help or hurt your life, career, relationships, etc.
 Changes in Law have not kept up with changes in technology
 They are here to stay (in some form)! Within the next few years they
will be an expectation

8. Networking What is it?
 Meeting and connecting with others for
mutual exchange and support
 Building a web of referrals, suppliers and
customers
 Used to find a job or build a business

9. Networking – Why is it
Important?
 As a culture (in North America) we have moved
from “selling” to “networking”.
 People do business with (and hire) people they:
 Know
 Like
 Trust
 Who deliver on promises
 Networking is one way to develop “know” and
“like”.

10. Networking – How do You do
it?
 Historically- in person (cold calls or
conversations)
 Today-combination of social media and
in person

11. DI is now Part of Networking-in
person and online
 Employers and customers are looking for
consistency between who you are in-
person and what you do online
 We are often guilty or successful by
association—what YOU do reflects on the
company.

12. Job Searching
 Only approximately 10% of jobs are
posted in the newspaper
 Need to find the hidden job market
 Companies and businesses tend to hire
from their networks first

13. Job (Business) Search
Strategies In Canada
 Networking (in-person and online)
 Create a positive Digital Identity
 Create a power Personal Branding
 Informational Interviews
 Recruitment companies (most of them use social
networks)
 Submitting your Resume (usually electronically)

14. Social Media as a Job Search
Tool
 Join online forums and participate regularly
 Identify people in your “group” that may be able to help you
and network or request informational interviews with them
 Ask if they can refer you to others
 Use the job search functions in LinkedIn
 Use your status bar, marketplace functions
 Start a blog/webiste (link them to your social media account)
 Put your URL on your resume/brochures/business cards

15. Personal Branding
 Create a personal brand
 Align all your social media sites and company info
(resume) with that brand
 Use social media to increase exposure to your brand
 Include Your personal brand and DI in everything
you do and when you are networking

16. Informational Interviews
 Meeting with people in your industry to ask for
ADVICE, not a job
 Keep it short—20 mins
 Go with the intention to “give” , not to get
 Keep in touch with the person after the interview
 Send thank you cards

17. Submit Resumes
 Identify companies that recruit from over seas—network
with someone in the company, monitor their website
 Use the job search functions in LinkedIn and submit
resumes (put your social media addresses on your resume)
 Strategic submissions
 Include a cover letter
 Customize your resume for every company

18. Some Resources -LinkedIN
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsXZ5ET9-bA
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzT3JVUGUz
M
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9z_k8sbdKc
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1ofuNt6Ab
k

19. Some Resources - Networking
 Work the Pond-
http://www.workthepond.com/
 http://www.quintcareers.com/networking
.html
 http://www.rileyguide.com/network.html

20. Some Resources-Personal
Branding
 Kaplan Mobray, 10 Ks of personal Branding
http://www.kaplanmobray.com/
 http://www.twistimage.com/blog/archives/p
ersonal-branding-is-not-an-option---its-crucial-
to-success/
 http://mashable.com/2009/02/05/personal-
branding-101/