Social networking before and during your teacher job search can be very beneficial if done correctly.
You know the story: A young university graduate wakes up in the morning, picks up the newspaper, and finds an ideal job. The same day, they write a fantastic application letter and resume, get good references, and take off to the company’s corporate headquarters to hand their application in. They go home and wait for the hiring manager’s call. The End!
The applicant’s chance of receiving an interview is becoming extraordinarily slim and is drifting into oblivion as the days go by, considering what efforts other job seekers are putting in.
The Power of Social Networking
Research has shown that almost everyone who has access to the internet has a connection to one form of social networking or another; that number is mind-boggling.
Facebook alone has over 500 million active subscribers, and there are presently about 100 social networking sites with unique ideas and subscribers. Even at that, many new sites are still coming out monthly. This little analysis shows us the power of social networking sites and how they have come to influence our lives. Denying this fact will be detrimental to a job seeker.
Having said all that, it becomes obvious that having at least one social networking site is critical to getting a job in this technology-driven world. The traditional means of searching for jobs are almost obsolete. More importantly, you can meet and know the potential employer or interviewer well beforehand without even having to meet them.
Selecting a Site
Depending on your goals, for example, strictly making professional connections vs. incorporating friends and family, you should choose a social media site accordingly.
Facebook/Twitter
Facebook and Twitter, for example, are mostly used to create personal profiles where you can connect with those that are close to you. They’re not often used for professional networking unless separate profiles are created solely for that purpose.
LinkedIn is for professional networking. It serves as a medium for making connections, as well as a virtual career portfolio. You can display your work experience, accomplishments, strengths, and get recommendations from coworkers and supervisors, and even directly apply for jobs.
One word of caution for using LinkedIn. It is primarily for professional networking.
Don’t take this platform as an opportunity to ramble about religion, politics (that have a distant or zero effect on the workplace), or raunchy jokes. Too much of that type of rhetoric can get you banned from the platform.
How would you like to know the answers to many interview questions beforehand and be prepared thoroughly for them? You can!
The answers to 152 questions to prepare you for your next interview. (A+ Teachers Interview Edge) This is one way of getting ahead of the pack and finding favor in the eyes of your interviewer(s).
Let me know if and how you are using social networking to advance your career. Leave a comment below, and if you feel so inclined, please share this post. I would appreciate it.
