November 4, 2011 
10 COMMENTSJob searching in a tough economy is never easy. Today, there is more competition than ever before in the job market. However, there are now new ways to search for jobs that we did not have before. The rules of job searching have changed and with increased career mobility comes a need for more creative, innovative ways to prove yourself in a competitive market. If you can discover these and how to make them work for you, then you will unlock a wealth of opportunity.
Steve Kimball, Fortune 500 recruiter has nearly 20 years in the job recruiting business.
His top number one for job searching strategies: “Network, network, network.”
His top two recruiting sources: personal network and social networks
Kimball says one of the top common mistakes people make when searching for a job is poor networking. Empire Avenue is a beneficial, often-overlooked method of networking that you can use when searching for a job.
Here are the top five benefits of Empire Avenue to the job seeker:
Increase your personal network- Many jobs are found today through personal networks. Some of the best jobs are those where the employee and employer have mutual goals and interests. Using a social media platform like Empire Avenue helps you increase your personal network, building bonds and relationships that help you greatly in the job market. It will also help you build an element of trust and familiarity with potential employment opportunities.
Promote your social presence- Through EA you can promote your blog, website, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and other social media accounts. You can connect with people who have similar interests, promote your resume and work experience and gain attention to your skills and abilities that you may not have the same opportunities to do on another platform.
Meet potential employers- Every person you connect with could be a potential employer. When you are in the job search market, you can never discount an opportunity and the best ones often hit when you least expect them. EA allows you to network with more people, businesses and identities than a single social media site and every person you encounter could be a potential employer.
Meet employees from companies you may want to work for- You may connect with employees from companies you want to work for on EA or industries that you want to work in. This will allow you to see inside the company/industry, make personal connections and verify that this is really where you want to be in your life.
Gain inspiration and motivation- Searching for a new job can be frustrating. On EA, you can gain inspiration and motivation for your job search efforts. There are communities and groups that will offer support. You can connect with people in similar industries or with people who have recently gone through the same thing as you. You can find tips and tricks for standing out in the market. This inspiration and motivation will keep you headed in the positive path to success.
When using Empire Avenue to network and promote yourself in the job market, keep these tips in mind:
- When your personal accounts are connected, potential employers can see what you post. The impression that you put out via social media may be the first impression they see of you.
- The way you handle your EA account is representative of what kind of person and employer you are. Do you try to game the system for your own gain? Are you a team player? Do you seek involvement in communities? These are things potential employers will be looking for.
- Any and every person you connect with is a prospective opportunity. Keep this in mind and put your best foot forward.
Not only is Empire Avenue useful for the job seeker, it can also be a lot of fun. This is an added benefit to go along with the stress that sometimes comes with searching for a new job.
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