Networking Forum

In his “Six Tips for Twitter Job Hunting” entry on his Job Hunting 2.0 blog, Jack Chang, who describes himself as a talent recruitment expert, writes that many employers from lead companies such as IBM, Google and Apple recruit in Twitter.

He notes that Twitter is a next-generation instant messaging tool which you can use to get an immediate response after you inquire about a job.

He considers Twitter “more effective, more efficient” than LinkedIn for job searches.

After you find an open job, Jack writes, search users from the company and ask them for a referral.

Or, for job postings, he adds, “You can directly contact the information publisher, follow him/her, send him/her message… You show you’re eager to have the job. Ask him/her the detail.”

Go to Jack’s “Six Tips for Twitter Job Hunting” by Googling “Job Hunting 2.0: 6 Tips for Twitter Job Hunting.”

Have three "On-Line" Profiles, linkedin.com, mylife.com and google.com/profiles in addition to several others requiring Professional MembershipAffiliation/. Each are updated weekly to reflect the diversity of work accomplished through Trans-Access Associates, LLC, the consultancy I founded in April 2005.

Presently do not use "blog" features however, am anticipating beginning post shortly as currently in process of completing "Title" for each blog that succinctly draws comments of interest in each focused "Subject Area" additionally, establishing links between other profile sites.

If anyone would like to view the linked, mylife or google profile please, connect and, will be happy to share the links via return E-Mail

Here’s one thing I’ve learned about social networking during the last few months.

Making and receiving recommendations, asking and answering questions, forming and following online groups, requesting and making introductions etc. can be effective in establishing online relationships –- relationships which can lead to meaningful jobs.

I’m not sure name-dropping ("so-and-so suggested I contact you, and I'm following up”), which some of us may have used in the past to obtain personal informational interviews and extend our network, works all that well anymore in finding a job.

We’re in a different era.

Of course, that may be just my bias because I have a physical (including speech) disability, which has always been a barrier in personal contact.

Social networking has empowered me.

Google "Twitter: Remaking the Persona of the Physically Challenged" for more about that new ability to connect with people.

On my 20th. Birthday 54, Year's ago I became totally Blind.

I quickly learned that the "Do Gooder" was an impediment to my well being. I now have had sufficient time to develop a lasting distaste for them.

Social/networking is neither Social or Networking. It is merely stumbling in the Dark.

A Blind Person that seriously attempt's a Job Search on his/her own and depending on social, networking will probably never hold a Pay, Check.

I have witnessed the whole Epoch of the failed miss mosh of Affirmative Action, 504, Folly, promises's of ADA, and the Blind are just about where they were before all that virtual, Garbage.

Many Disabled and even the Blind are not serious about Employment, but, even unknowingly use their effort's as mere entertainment.

Those blind individual's seriously seeking Employment will utilize the vast Resource's of their State, Rehabilitation, Agency.

I grew up on a Farm where the Reality of survival began at 5, A. M. and ended when the last Chore was completed.

Even in my old age I still require myself to maintain those Standard's that I learned so well as a mere, Child.

I’ve caught myself dreaming about ditching my computer and getting back to real, face-to-face interaction with people. In some ways, that would be nice.

But, yesterday I ran across this comment from Boris Epstein, the CEO and Founder of BINC, a professional search firm that specializes in the software marketplace:

"Nowadays employers rarely hire just skills and are looking for much more of a complete package -– skills plus a well-rounded individual that fits well with their team and company. And a person’s social media footprint gives employers (and others) the best insight into your passions, interests, communication styles, work habits, work/life balance and all sorts of other valuable information.

“Simply put, it helps an employer get to know you and get comfortable with you before a single word has even been exchanged. So think about it -- if you had the choice to consider a cold, bland resume or an actual person with common interests, passions and work/life style, wouldn’t the choice be obvious?"

Boris shares his thoughts about the recruitment industry, job hunting and career advice at AskBinc.com.

The U.S. Labor Dept. estimates that 65 percent of all jobs filled in this country come about as a result of networking. That figure hasn’t probably changed much since WW II, despite the Internet, job sites etc.

But, I wonder if we aren’t experiencing a shift right now of another kind. Is knowing how to use social media to effectively brand yourself becoming an essential skill job seekers now need to possess -– just like skills in computer use, interpersonal communication, teamwork etc.?

If so, that tends to again make the playing field for recruitment a little more accessible for those of us with disabilities. And we can now use our social media savvy to help the right people know about us before every other job seeker catches on and develops those skills.

Thank you Jim, James, Fred your interesting insights and comments.

It's true that blind , visually impaired and others with disabilities in their job search should use all the resources available to them, whether it's state or provincial resources, federal resources or the new social networking sites.

Jobs and job search techniques evolve and we must evolve with them, that doesn't mean the old ways are bad or obsolete, or that the new ways are better because they are new.However it does make the playing field a bit more level for those of us with disabilities being able to access sites where we more than likely won't be judged on our disability before we even get in the door.

We need to accept ourselves and our disabilities, take responsibility for and utilize all the tools and resources we can as we look for employment that is both satisfying , empowering and pays us in ways that we need to be paid which doesn't always involve large sums of money. That helps of course but Fred, younger people today don't always do it for the money, they sometimes hope to make a contribution to the world. I'm sure when you were young you had the same aspirations to help out or make a difference.

It doesn't really matter what methods we use to find work it's that we don't give up and miss the opportunities.

Shall we say synchronicity, Tory Johnson of women for Hire has a segment on Good Morning America talking about social networking as a way to get a Job, on the http://www.abcnews.go.com/gmajobclub you can find it under Tweet Your Way to a Job

Or you can go to http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/JobClub/story?id=7175513&page=1 where you can either read the text or watch the video. Liz

I'm completely sold on social networking as a job-seeking tool. To begin with, every job I've had since high school I've gotten due to networking; the online approach merely widens my circle of potential contacts.

I use the groups and their forums as my primary means of catching someone's interest. At least one day a week (usually a day or two after the digests come out), I'll spend a few hours reviewing discussions that interest me and make a comment - sort of like what I am doing right now on eSight. Usually it's on sites outside my professional background, but the point here is to grasp notice, which can be done through a group where I have a non-work interest.

Within a day or two of my making the comment, someone from that group has checked my LinkedIn profile to see who I am.

It hasn't resulted in a job lead yet, but I've been involved in sales and marketing so I know this is a process of casting out seed and patiently waiting for the harvest. I know each of those people who checked out my profile wouldn't have done so if I'd said nothing; sooner or later someone's going to see something they like in my profile. Since they already know I'm of like mind and (IMHO) a decent communicator (often a job requirement), could sent me a note letting me know about a hidden job.

When they finally meet me, they'll know my visual impairment isn't an issue as it's my mind, communication ability and skill set that sold them. With accommodation, I can do nearly anything.

www.linkedin.com/in/jssmith210

Thank you Jeff for your story.

Yesterday on Saturday Report CBC's Newsword weekend news there was an item about social networking and its' impact now on businesses and government agencies.

In Ottawa at the US Embassy they were searching for a permanent position to manage their profile on all the social networks and were paying very good money to just monitor and adapt information, make networks and talk to people and answer their questions.

We know that networking has always played a prominent role in bringing people together who shared similar interests, businesses, religious affiliations. Social networking has become an extension of that way of networking we're used to using.

Think back in the mid 90s nobody could foresee the differences in thw world that the Internet would bring upon society, social networking may also have that same kind of impact. We'll just have to give it and a whirl and see what happens. We all need to step out of our comfort zones and seize the opportunities before us or get left in the dust. it's up to you.