Social Networking Etiquette And You

Most people think of Facebook and other social media sites as a great place to catch up with friends and watch that latest hilarious cat video. But did you know they can also be helpful for your job search?

Networking is the key to improving your chances of landing a job, and there's no better place to do it then using social media. Using sites like Facebook and LinkedIn, you can quickly find contacts who can give you the inside track to your dream job. Sounds easy, right? Not exactly.

Before you go to your online contacts for help, make sure to follow these six social networking etiquette tips:

• Don't post just to post.
• Stay professional while you are networking. That means you should avoid abbreviations and inappropriate content.
• Keep an eye on your post count. You don't want come across as a spammer.
• Post different things across the many social media channels. Give people a reason to visit your individual pages.
• Keep your content fresh. No more than a month should go by without new updates.
• Follow-up with everyone who responds to your posts. This will show people that you care about what they have to say, and will go a long way toward building new connections.

Social Networking For A Nonprofit Job

Originally Posted on the NPT Jobs Career Center


Networking is key when it comes to getting a nonprofit job. You can apply for work all you want, but you’ll have a greater chance of success if you can make connections with people in the organization. Thanks to sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn, making these connections is easier than ever.

Social networking sites are extremely useful for keeping up with the latest trends in the industry and finding connections at jobs you are interested in joining. If you leverage your profiles correctly, the benefits can be huge. The key is to show the world the best version of your professional life. That means you should get rid of content that is not appropriate or interesting to potential recruiters. For example, it’s probably a good idea to take down any embarrassing photos from your friend’s bachelor party.

Once you’ve cleaned out your profile, you can start getting down to networking. Here are five tips that will get you on the right track:

• Don’t post for the sake of posting. Make sure all the content you create is fresh, interesting, and relevant to the type of job you are hoping to land. In this case, it will be helpful to write a lot of nonprofit-centric posts.
• Be interactive. If you are browsing a LinkedIn group, answer other people’s questions so that other professionals will see your profile. You will never harness the full potential of social media if you are just expecting people to come to you.
• Avoid spamming. You want people to notice you, but posting too frequently can backfire. At the same time, you don’t want months to past before you make a new post, so you’re going to have to strike a balance here.
• Make your content unique across all platforms. It’s OK if you occasionally post the same content to Facebook and Twitter, but don’t make a habit of it. You want to give people a reason to follow you on the various social network platforms, and they won’t want to if you carbon copy your content.
• Follow-up. Respond to every message, connection request, or question in a timely manner. This will let your followers know that you truly care about them.

How To Network Without Being Annoying

This article was originally posted on the NPT Jobs Career Center

When it comes to the job search, it’s not so much what you know that is important but who you know. That doesn’t mean your career skills aren’t important — far from it — but it is true that it is much harder to get a job without a good group of networking contacts. Getting these contacts is the easy part; it’s a little harder to find a way to stay in touch with them without getting on their nerves.

Using online tools like Facebook or LinkedIn, job seekers are able to better keep in touch with the contacts they have developed over time. I can be argued that it’s too easy though, when you consider that these people do have lives and don’t necessarily want to be contacted every single day. So how do you find a balance between staying in touch and being a pest? It’s a hard act to pull off but, by following the following four tips, you can rest assured knowing that you are not alienating your best job resources:

• Determine which social media site your contacts are most comfortable receiving messages and use that to your advantage. Occasionally commenting on their statuses or sending a quick message is a good way to remind them you still exist without rubbing them the wrong way.
• Don’t feel pressured to spend hours with your contacts. An occasional coffee meeting or a quick lunch is a good way to keep you fresh in their minds should a good job opportunity come up for you.
• Do you have a connection who could potentially help but you don’t get along? Don’t try to force a connection with this kind of person as not only will it not help you, it will probably make you more annoying to them. Stick to networking with people with whom you have a great relationship.
• Nobody likes a one-sided relationship except for the person who is benefiting from it. Make sure that you are doing things for your contacts and avoid talking only about yourself when you chat. Ask how they are doing or what they are doing with their lives.

5 Things Your Networking Contacts Should Know

Whether it is in-person or online, networking for a job can be a very overwhelming task. Think about it: You're talking to a bunch of people you probably don't know very well with hundreds of thoughts running through your head, all while trying to make the best impression possible.

No wonder so many job seekers prefer to avoid the process altogether.

Networking might not be the most enjoyable thing in the world but it's also one of the most important. To paraphrase a popular saying, it's not what you know that's most important, it's who you know. So the next time you turn down an invite to a network event or avoid LinkedIn like the plague, take a step back and realize the opportunities you are missing. Then, take a deep breath and boldly go into the fray.

The most important part of networking is making sure you are sharing the right information. Here are five things you absolutely must share with your contacts:

• Your contact information and a short statement describing your skills (your "elevator pitch").
• An anecdote that explains why you are a master in your particular field.
• Any projects you on which you are currently working.
• An interest in their field of work. Remember, networking can't be a one-way street.
• Any other information that will help you stand out from the crowd.

LinkedIn Strategies For Job Seekers

There are many social networks out there, but LinkedIn might be the most useful for job seekers. They just have to make sure to use it correctly to make use of its full potential.

Job hunters can gain many advantages by using LinkedIn including, but not limited to: Information on the types of people employers hire, the name of the hiring manager at a particular job, and -- perhaps most importantly of all -- the potential to make a personal connection at the organization you are interested in joining.

Making connections is the key aspect of the social networking site, and this is easily done on LinkedIn through the "request an introduction" feature. Sent to both an existing contact and someone he know, this feature facilitates connections to individuals who can help your job search. You can't just make your introduction out of the blue, though, so here are some tips on how to go about doing this in the best possible manner:

• If you already have your contact's e-mail address, shoot them a message letting them know you are sending an introduction request. This has two benefits: It's the polite thing to do and it ensures they will actually get the request; some people don't always check their LinkedIn notifications.
• Remember that the message is going both to two people: Someone you know and someone you want to know. Even if your relationship with your existing contact is casual, your message still needs to be crafted in a professional manner.On a related note, you should be sure to mention how you know your existing contact.

Speaking of LinkedIn, we are going to start posting some arguments in our group. If you haven't already linked to us, head to our page and join before the fun starts.

5 Tips For The Job Search Over The Holidays

With Christmas just four days away, chances are you're going to be spending the holidays with family and friends, putting the daily grind of your job search on hold for a little bit.  That's exactly the right thing to do, but don't forget about it entirely.

There are a number of things you can do over the holidays to help your job hunting efforts.  Just because you won't be spending as much time on job boards or LinkedIn doesn't mean you can't improve your prospects.  Here are some tips for you:

• Network: Make sure to tell people at holiday parties that you are currently looking for work in the nonprofit sector.  You never know who will be able to help you out.
• Keep Up The Search: It's true that you aren't going to be seeing too many new jobs posted during the holidays.  But you should schedule some time to browse for recent positions.  This will make it easier to get back into the routine when vacation is over.
• Holiday Cards: Send holiday greeting cards to everybody that has helped you with your job search..  This includes networking contacts and hiring managers whom you have recently interviewed with.  Make sure to enclose a business card with the letter.

Have a happy holidays everyone!

Ask For Job References, Not Jobs

The ultimate goal when you meet up with a networking contact is to get information that will lead you to a nonprofit job.  That doesn't mean you should straight up ask for a job.  Instead, ask for references.

The fact of the matter is that career networking isn't always going to lead you to people who have solid job references to help your job search.  Instead of putting your contacts on the spot about a potential job, mention to them what kind of positions you are most suited for and the ask if you can use them as a reference when you apply for jobs.

There are a couple of good reasons for taking this approach.  First of all, being used as a reference is a pretty high compliment.  It says that you think enough of this person to use them as an accurate judge of your abilities.  It will also make them feel better about themselves knowing they are able to help you out in your quest to get a good job.

All of this sounds like it's better for your contact than for you, but these good feelings will make your contacts more eager to help you.  They will think of you as a friend and will be thinking about other ways they can help you with your search.  This means they will likely be on the lookout for jobs that fit your needs.

It's important to keep in mind that this technique works best with people that you already know fairly well.  If you are just getting to know someone you discovered through LinkedIn, you should wait for a few conversations until you ask to use them as a reference.

4 Networking Pitfalls

Networking is one of the best ways to improve your chances of finding a job. If done successfully, you will have a wide range of contacts who will do what they can to find opportunities for you. There is such a thing as bad networking -- and it can do more harm to your chances than if you didn't network at all.

On the surface, it makes sense to interact only with those individuals who have the same interests and skills as you. In reality, however, these contacts are unlikely to get you to the next level. In fact, they may view you as competition. This is not to say you shouldn't have anybody in your network like this; you should just make sure to have a more diversified contact list.

Another bad networking habit is only beginning the process when you don't have a job. You should really be working to make new contacts even when you are employed. Desperation is no way to conduct a job search, and having ready-made contacts to turn to if you become unemployed will be useful. Start developing relationships today but remember, don't ask for favors right away.

Job seekers sometimes make the mistake of choosing quantity over quality. In other words, they have hundreds of contacts, but have neglected to cultivate real relationships with most of them. It's much more effective to have a handful of really good networking contacts than to have hundreds with whom you have no connection.

Finally, you should know exactly what you want when you begin your networking. You obviously want a nonprofit job, but what kind? What position are you specifically looking to obtain? If you don't know what you are looking for, how can someone else help you?

At the end of the day, networking is what you make of it. If you put a lot of time and effort into it, you will get great results. But if you don't take it seriously and make mistakes like the ones listed above, it's not likely to help you much.

Making Career Networking Fun

If you are like a lot of job seekers, you probably groan a little when you hear the words "career networking." Making small talk about jobs isn't exactly what most people consider a good time.

The goal of networking is to meet new people and grow your list of contacts. While this would indicate you have to attend a lot of conferences and industry events, these don't have to be your only options. With a little bit of imagination, you can turn networking into a fun activity rather than one you dread.

Here are five ideas you should consider:

• Shake-up the normal meet and greets. Instead of heading to that local job fair or networking event, why not take up an activity that you truly enjoy? That way you can have some fun while also making new contacts.
• Find the right hang-outs. Professionals in every industry have favorite places to relax during free-time. Do a little research to find out where nonprofit executives like to frequent.
• Take up a cause. Volunteering is a great way to spruce up your resume and meet people who can help you with your job search. Even if you aren't bought on full time after your service is done, your supervisor will surely have no problem assisting you as long as you did a good job.
• Offer to help at events. Call your favorite nonprofit and find out if they need anyone to assist at an upcoming special event. Even if they say no, you will at least be putting yourself out there.
• Reconnect with the past. College and high school reunions or alumni events are a great place to do some networking. They offer all the benefits of a traditional industry without the anxiety of making small talk with people you don't know.

"Help Me Help You:" Helping Friends With The Job Search

People tend to think of the job search as an individual endeavor. Job seekers understandably focus on their own needs rather than taking too much time helping others. What they may not know, however, is that assisting people is a big part of the job search process.

You should be more than willing to assist a friend if they need help getting a job. You would expect a networking contact to help you if you asked, so why should you turn down a request from a friend? It's true that you need to spend as much time as possible on your own job search, but you should still find time to be of help. Being a willing helper will also make others more eager to assist you.

Like most things, there's a right and a wrong way to help someone look for a job. Follow these four tips should a friend reach out to you:

• Listen: Does your friend just need to blow off some steam? Instead of trying to convince him that everything will be OK, let him release his frustrations. After he is done, you should express your understanding, and begin to find out what kind of help he needs.
• Know Your Role: Don't assume that the techniques you use for your job hunt are right for your friend. Ask what kind of job he is looking for and what you can do to help. When it comes time to offer suggestions, make them in a way that is not presumptive. For example, you can ask "would it be helpful if I shared your resumé with my contacts?"
• Network: Assuming your friend is also looking for a nonprofit job, you can reach out to your networking contacts and see if they can help your friend. Write a short e-mail asking them if they would like to have lunch with him. Remember that your friend is a direct representation on you, so make sure he is properly prepared should your contact say "yes."
•  Manage Expectations: You should commit to do anything you can to help, but don't make promises you can't keep. For instance, if you don't know anyone in your friend's area of expertise, don't tell him that you will see who you know. Be up-front with him, so that he knows what to expect.

Networking Events on July 4th

Tomorrow, people all across America will be celebrating Independence Day.  Our forefathers fought for our freedom all those years ago and as a result, we get to eat burgers, drink beer, and watch fireworks every July 4th. Freedom's a wonderful thing, right?

Unfortunately, many Americans are not free this year. There's no oppressive foreign power trying to impose their will on us, but there are still too many people held back by unemployment. It's been nearly three years since the official end of the Great Recession, but Americans are still dealing with its aftermath. Things are better than they were in 2009, but we still have a long way to go. 

It would be very easy to just halt your job search this holiday weekend. And when it comes to applying to jobs, I would recommend that. Since the majority of organizations are off, you aren't going to be finding many new positions. That doesn't mean you can't do anything to move yourself closer to unemployment independence. It may not seem like it, but there really is no better time to network. Think about it: Presumably you will be attending a July 4th party, which will  give you the opportunity to connect (or re-connect) with a bunch of people. Make it a goal to make some new career contacts by the time the party is over. You will probably have some idea of who these people are, which can make it a lot more relaxing than a normal networking event.

It's highly unlikely you will walk out of an Independence Day party with a job interview lined up. That's hardly a guarantee. What is a guarantee, however, is that you will move one step closer to ridding yourself of unemployment if you do some serious networking. And on a day when America is celebrating freedom from tyranny, you can be closer to that freedom as well.

How To Enjoy Career Networking

Let's face it: Career networking is not exactly the funnest thing in the world. Putting yourself out there can be a very stressful thing, which makes many job seekers want to do all they can to avoid it. This is ultimately to their detriment, as networking is a vital part of the job search.

The first thing you need to do to reduce the pressure is to remember you go to networking events not only to receive help but also to give it. Too many job hunters go to these events thinking it's their one opportunity to make new contacts, which sets the stakes at an unreasonably high level. If you change your mindset so that you recognize you are there to contribute and get any help that is available, you will feel less stressed, which will ultimately boost your chances of making solid contacts.

On a similar note, you should not appear desperate when talking to attendees. People have different definitions of this, but one thing to look out for is making the main purpose of your conversations to get something. You should be getting to know the other attendees with talk about work flowing naturally from the conversation. People don't like to feel like they are only being talked to because the other person wants something.

Finally, act naturally. You definitely need to prepare before you attend events, but you don't want to come off as scripted. Being real is the key to getting the best responses from other attendees, as people have a tendency to want to help others who they think are being straightforward.

None of these tips are guaranteed to make you absolutely love career networking if you already don't enjoy it. But hopefully they will make you tolerate more than you did before.

Expanding Your Career Network Without Social Networks

It goes without saying that social networks are extremely popular these days. These sites are useful for catching up with old friends and -- most importantly for your job search -- making connections for your career. Yet as useful as sites like LinkedIn are, face-to-face networking still remains an effective tool.

One of the advantages of traditional career networking is the personal connection. You can learn a lot more about a person by seeing their mannerisms and hearing their voice than by communicating via e-mail. If you are one of those individuals that prefers the "old school" method of networking, here are four tips to help expand your connections:

• Talk to your seat-mates on the train. You never know if that person sitting next to you could hold the key for your career. Making conversation with complete strangers isn't exactly easy, but it can be very valuable if you can do it.
• Start volunteering. This is one of the best ways to build connections in the nonprofit sector. Becoming a volunteer almost guarantees you will meet someone who can be of help to you. It also doesn't look half-bad on your resume.
• Sign up for an alumni newsletter. There's a very good chance you will learn about upcoming networking events, which will help you re-establish ties with old classmates or professors.
• Join clubs. These don't have to necessarily be related to your job search. You are just as likely to find potential networking contacts at a chess club than job search related activities.

All of this is not to say you should completely abandon online networking. On the contrary, you should continue to use it to enhance your job search. Just don't make the mistake of thinking that a social networking site is the ultimate answer for all your problems.

Be Productive During Memorial Day

We're just a day away from Memorial Day weekend, which means most of you will probably be enjoying a relaxing three days. No doubt you will be wanting to avoid anything related to the job search. You should take a break from the daily grind, but you can still find ways to be productive while taking a much deserved rest.

One of the most popular Memorial Day activities is the barbecue. Most people invite a lot of friends and family to join in the fun, which makes it a great place to do some networking. There's a good chance a lot of the people you see haven't seen you in a while, so they won't necessarily know you are currently looking for a job

The danger here is you don't want to come off as begging or desperate. You also don't want to ruin the festive atmosphere by bringing up work. That's why it's important to bring up your job search in a casual manner. Here's an example of what you could say in response to a question such as "What have you been up to lately?"

"Well I've been pretty busy these days. I've been spending a lot of time looking for work which, as you probably know is pretty frustrating. I've gotten some leads but it's still a struggle."

Something like this will hopefully lead the person to offer some assistance, assuming they have contacts in the nonprofit sector. If you don't get that kind of response, you can always ask if they could offer any assistance. But that should wait until the end of the conversation.

Make sure you have a good Memorial Day weekend regardless of what happens with your job search. Consider these three days as a reward for all of your hard work so far!

6 Simplifying Job Search Tips

The job search can be a very overwhelming task if you allow it to be. There are so many tools at a job seeker's disposal that it can become very easy to lose focus.

It's easy to see how this can happen. I can speak from experience that the many things I had to accomplish in a given day made searching for a job an exhausting task. I later discovered that I was trying to accomplish too much in a given day. It got a lot easier when I discovered that, no, I didn't have to use as many job boards as I was using. If you are starting to sense that your job search activities have made your ultimate goal harder to achieve, it may be time to take a step back and simplify things. Here are six tips to help accomplish this:

• Organize: You need to lay out a plan before you even start looking for a job. Create a spreadsheet to keep track of the jobs for which you already applied, make a list of manageable goals you want to accomplish each week, etc.
• Join Social Networks: Social networking sites like LinkedIn can help ease your job search. Make sure to join them if you haven't already.
• Choose Your Job Boards: As I hinted at before, you don't have to use too many job boards to accomplish your goals. Make a list of three or four that you think are best suited for you.
• Use Job Search Engines: Having trouble finding job boards? Make use of job search engines like Indeed to guide you in the right direction.
• Connect With Employers: Follow nonprofits you are interested in on Facebook or Twitter. Interact with them often so they have a better idea of who you are when you decide to apply.
• Don't Forget About Networking: Set aside a day in the week to tap into your career network. If you don't have many contacts, try to make some through family friends or through sites like LinkedIn.

Tweet Your Way To A Nonprofit Job

Do you hear all that tweeting?  It's not the birds, it's the sound of millions of people using the popular social networking site Twitter.  The site was launched in 2006 and it has been an Internet sensation ever since.  It's most useful for connecting with celebrities and to drive traffic to website, but it's also useful for the job search.

How exactly can you tweet your way to a nonprofit job?  It takes a lot of work but it can be done.  After you have created your account, chosen an appropriate profile picture, and written a description of yourself, it's time to start following people.  There's aren't that many nonprofits that aren't on Twitter, so it should be very easy to find their Twitter handle.  You can look on their official website for a link to their profile if you are having trouble.  Organizations will often send out a tweet if they have open jobs, so it's good to keep an eye on their tweets.

That's not the only reason you will want to follow nonprofits on Twitter.  It's also so you can start grabbing their attention with your tweets.  In order to get your messages sent to the appropriate targets, you will have to make use of hashtags.  These are represented by the "#" symbol, and are placed before a word that describes the subject of the tweet.  Twitter users will often search for tweets by a specific subject, and making use of multiple hashtags will increase your chances of being seen.  For example, using the hashtag #nonprofitjobs would be appropriate to get noticed by recruiters.

You must always remember that Twitter is a social platform.  You want to build yourself up but you also want to participate in conversations.  It's not easy to say everything you want to say in 140 characters or less but with time, you will get better at it.  Here are some other helpful tips to help you tweet your way to a nonprofit job:

• Try to send out 2-5 tweets (or more) per day.
• Follow the hiring managers at nonprofits.  They will be the ones going through the job applications and, if you are impressive enough, you could be given extra consideration if they recognize your name from Twitter.
• Introduce yourself to people who follow you through a direct message.
• Get to know Twitter lingo.
• Send out links to your LinkedIn or professional Facebook profile (make sure to use link shortening tools like bit.ly).

The Job Search Daily

The thought of having to be involved with the job search every single day is pretty overwhelming. Unfortunately, that's what you are going to need to do if you want to be successful.

Job hunting is too often thought of as just sitting at your computer and browsing job boards or building your network via LinkedIn. These are big aspects of it, but you can incorporate job search activities into every part of your daily routine. The worst thing you could do for your psyche is to engage in the same activities every day, so here are some other ways you make progress in your job hunt every day:

• If you live in an apartment, post your resume on the bulletin board in the lobby. You can do the same thing at local stores if they allow it.
• Tell your friends and family about your efforts. These conversations could lead you to a great opportunity.
• Post a status update on Facebook or Google+ about your job search.
• Attend any networking events or career fairs in your area.
• Be on the look-out for opportunities to expand your skill set. You can never have enough knowledge.
• Check in with your college's career center for help. You can do this even after you graduate.
• Visit local nonprofits to see if they are looking for part-time/volunteer work.

A Day At The Career Fair

Although a lot of the job search is done online these days, there is still a place for the real world.  Face-to-face networking still remains a great technique and there's no better place for it than a career fair.

Career fairs are happening all the time, so check often to see if there are any happening in your area.  You will have to choose the fair that has the most relevance to your search.  This can be done by checking which companies will be attending.  Most fairs will have this list on their websites, so you will be able to see if there are any nonprofits attending.  Once you find that out, you need to start preparing.

Make sure that you bring enough copies of your resume and cover letter.  You may only be planning on going to a few booths, but it's better to be over-prepared.  You should also prepare a number of elevator speeches tailored towards each organization you visit.  Remember to practice them enough so that you don't have to read off of a script, and don't be afraid to improvise.

When it comes time to head to the fair, try and get there at least an hour before it begins.  The crowds will get larger as the day gets later, and you will find it hard to get everything done when you are competing with hundreds of other people.  This also has another benefit: It will show potential employers that you are serious about creating good contacts.  Make sure that, along with your resume and cover letter, you have a number of business cards that you can give to potential networking contacts.

The most important thing you can do to prepare for a career fair is to set goals.  Aside from speaking to all of the organizations you are interested in, try and get X number of business cards by the end of the day, or some other tangible goal that will motivate you.  It can never be overstated how much reaching a goal can boost your confidence and make you feel accomplished.

Career Networking Tip: Don't Sound Rehearsed

Picture this: You're at a networking event and, to break the ice, you go up to one of the attendees and break out your elevator speech.  All of those hours of practicing have seemingly paid off because you got all of your lines down pat.  There's only one problem: You didn't get the response you wanted.

We've all been in a situations like this before, and it's pretty discouraging to say the least.  Why would a perfectly rehearsed statement go off so badly?  Part of the problem could be just that: You sounded too rehearsed.  Just like you would adapt your resume or cover letter depending on the job, you also need to adapt your networking talking points based on the situation.  For instance, you wouldn't want to say anything like this at a casual networking party:

"Hello, my name is John Q. Public and I have a successful track record of fundraising at several different organizations.  If you have a few minutes, I'd like to inquire if you have any contacts at a nonprofit that would be in need of my vast knowledge and expertise."

OK, that's a little bit of an exaggeration, but you get the picture.  That kind of sell would be more useful if you were attending a more formal event, say, a business party.  It would be completely obvious you are going off of a prepared script if you said those exact words at a small social gathering.  At those kind of events, you want to keep it more casual.  Make some observations about the party or ask if they tried that great punch.  Anything like that is a good starting point before you start talking business.  You will only hurt your cause if you come off as a robot.

Do you have any success stories from past career networking events?  Share them with us in the comments section below.

Personal Branding Rules

Communicating your value to an employer is half the battle of getting a nonprofit job.  That's why personal branding is a handy tool for job seekers.

The success of your personal branding can make or break your job search.  If you do it right, employers will see the value you could bring to their organization.  If you don't, they will be left wondering why they should bring you into the fold.  Your brand should leave employers with no doubt about your abilities.  It should encompass the types of problems you solve, how you solve them, and the situations in which you excel.

How do you go about spreading your personal brand?  Here are some rules to get started:

• Your personal brand is not about you.  Kind of blows your mind, right?  You should be conveying to the employer how your skills will be of value to the organization.
• Your brand should change with every new opportunity you are presented.  The strengths that you emphasize must change based on your audience.  For example, you would highlight your people skills at an organization that works extensively with the local community.
• It's not what you want to hear, but you're going to have to do all the heavy lifting.  A nonprofit doesn't have time to figure out your value.  It's up to you to communicate your worth clearly and concisely.  If it takes more than one reading to see your value, you will have to go back to the drawing board.