Getting Social with Your WebZume

Using Forums Such as Facebook and Linkdin to Promote Yourself

by Bob Blanchard

In today’s web 2.0 world, you are no doubt familiar with the buzzword, ‘social media’ and perhaps not even sure what the phrase specifically implies.  You are not incorrect in envisioning Facebook, Linkdin, or even MySpace when the phrase comes up.  However, these are the ‘vehicles’ used to initiate social media.  Social media is using these vehicles in such a way to engage human interaction.  That’s a powerful statement.  Fortune 500 companies are now using using Facebook as a customer service tool to solve their clients’ problems and entertain questions or concerns.  This gives their business a great opportunity to know their audience and have their audience know and trust them.  The same holds true when using social media to promote yourself.  The first thing you must know is to not use your personal social media accounts to promote yourself in the job market!  You want to make a professional account that is unrelated to your personal accounts.  The last thing you want is for a potential employer to see you in a situation that is viewed as unfavorable by them or for them to make an immediate judgment of you based on a bad picture.  With a professional looking social media site, you are capable to post links to your webzume, other social media profiles of yours, videos of you in action demonstrating your skills and control how the employer perceives you.  Furthermore, you can add these URLs to your paper resume or cover letter for the employer to see later.  Composing a complete webzume, incorporating social media and drafting a professional cover letter is sure to catch the attention of a potential employer, putting you above the rest.