Most people find their next job through networking. Networking leads to more contacts. More contacts increase the chance someone you know will learn about a job you might be interested in. That is how it works.
So job seekers are busy finding contacts, making connections, meeting new people. This is called “mining social networks”.
Believe it or not, every day in companies are thinking the same way. Human resource teams are busy making connections, increasing contacts in LinkedIn and “mining social networks”.
A recent article in HR Magazine, Referral Booster, describes how social media platforms are expanding the way employers connect with candidates. Employee referrals have long been a great way for companies to attract quality candidates. After all, current employees will want to refer candidates who make the employee look good.
The author, Dave Zielinski, describes how Trustwave, a data security company based in Chicago, launched a referral program that enables employees to refer their LinkedIn connections, Facebook friends, or Twitter followers for open positions. If the candidate is hired the employee gets a fee.
If companies are looking for candidates through social media, shouldn’t you be searching to connect with those companies? If you are searching for a new job, it is definitely to your advantage to figure out how you can connect with someone whose company has an employee referral program.
You can’t tell for sure which companies have employee referral programs. So eliminate the question and connect with as many people as you can. Meet those people or at least talk with them through email. Use every social media outlet you can. Really use LinkedIn to expand your connections. Use your Facebook account. Get a twitter account and start following people. Place a few comments every day.
Use social media to expand your connections to place yourself in the path of companies looking to hire someone as wonderful as you!