Use Social Media to Accomplish
Your Career Goals

Opportunities to connect and interact online have exploded as entrepreneurs have used
technology to create and expand the World Wide Web's social media space. Initially, the
terminology and website names may be as unfamiliar as a new foreign language. But, by familiarizing yourself with the variety and purposes of the different types of social media, you
will be able to determine how to leverage them to your advantage.

Do your homework
"Web 2.0" and "social media" are umbrella terms used to describe a variety of applications
that facilitate interactive information sharing and collaboration on the internet. Understand
what type of information you want to share and the best types of sites to use. Because the information is shared and remains in the public sphere for potentially years, selecting
appropriate, site-relevant and accurate information is important for the "identity" you are
creating for yourself. Each site has a set of protocols or etiquette that must be followed.

LinkedIn or Plaxo: These sites host professional profiles of contacts for business
networking.You can build connections with people you know through work, school or
volunteer work. Members may also share information about communities and current
projects or areas of interest. This is more selective. You don't want to try to connect to
people you don't know or you can be dropped.

Blogger: Millions of blogs exist today, websites that offer regular entries of commentary,
news, pictures, music, audio, and video. Blogs may be personal in nature, on particular
topics, aimed at particular audiences, or sponsored by companies or organizations. An
important part of many blogs is the ability for readers to interact and comment on the entries.

Twitter: A micro-blog, Twitter is typically used to stay current on specific topics or people,
or from a professional standpoint, those who are knowledgeable in different industries,
specific subjects, politics, or the arts. Entries are short - 140 characters or less. You can
simply follow to stay informed; it is not necessary for someone to connect back to you.

Facebook: Historically, Facebook has been used for staying connected to friends and
family. You have more control over who you allow access, but remember once access
is granted, the information is shared with everyone. Now businesses, colleges and
not-for-profit organizations are allowed to create Facebook Pages as brand profiles
to build communities of Fans for communication and marketing purposes.

YouTube: A site where anyone can upload videos of all kinds and allow them to be
shared. Others can comment on videos, rank them, or upload a video response.

Razume or ResumeSocial: These are two of several social resume community sites
where you can build your resume, then upload it for others to review it and make
suggestions for improvement.

Wikipedia, a web-based encyclopedia, provides a good overview of social media,
though in true Web. 2.0 collaborative style, the article is a work in progress.

Clarify your goals
One of Stephen Covey's habits of highly effective people is:"Begin with the end in mind."
Social media are a means to an end, not the end itself. Before tackling the array of
options available, it is important to define what you want to accomplish through the
use of Web 2.0 tools. This is important because you are beginning to establish your
online identity or "brand." Here are some questions to consider as you decide where
you want to begin:

1. Is this for fun or for professional purposes? We will explore more professional considerations below. However, if you begin for fun, remember that it is hard to
eliminate something once it is posted.

2. For what do you want to be known for as a professional in your field? Identify strengths and areas of expertise, especially if you are proficient in a leading edge technology or topic.

3. What do you want to learn about? Identify new developments in or related to your career field or job function.

4. From whom would you like to learn? Identify leaders in your field, local experts
as well as national and international authorities. Do they have a blog? Are they tweeting on Twitter?

5. How much time do you plan to invest? Staying connected requires a commitment. Don't try to do it all at once, and be sure to see how it fits in your priorities.

Address time, place and security issues
These are interactive technologies, and beware - they can absorb your curiosity and time
quickly. Like any technology, social media can be used in productive or unproductive ways.
Once you decide which social media to use based on your goals, create a strategy to monitor,
update and interact online.

Deciding where to access sites is also important. Your employer may restrict access to
these sites, and companies do have a right to monitor the online activity of employees.
When social media is used and encouraged by a company, make sure that you are
following the guidelines established and using time at work for job or company-related
tasks. Leave the socializing and your individual professional networking for outside
company time.

Is it wise to allow access to all internet-based information about oneself? Of course,
avid social media types would advocate that more is better; but not necessarily so. You
may choose to keep personal networking sites and information accessible to friends
only, so colleagues, potential employers and recruiters see your professional side only.
On the other hand, many young adults tend to combine personal and professional
purposes for their Facebook or Twitter accounts. They need to manage their online
presence by monitoring the type of information they share. And you would be wise to
keep track of where you have created online profiles and update them as necessary to
keep them current.

Learning the ropes
To learn how to use social media sites, click on the online Help or FAQs on the site itself,
or perform an online search using the name of the site and "how to use" as keywords.
There are a variety of websites, videos and slide presentations that explain the basics or
offer online tutorials to get you started. Getting a good foundation now can keep you
competitive.

Social media have provided some exciting ways to create a professional presence by
connecting and interacting with others across the internet. By knowing how to use these
sites and technologies safely and to one's advantage, you can expand your connectivity
with others and enhance your career.

© Copyright 2009, Career Vision. Article may be reprinted with permission.

Direction. Decisions. Satisfaction.