Jobs to Tweet About

01/08/2010

Among the social media sites, Twitter is a great new tool to help in your job search. Twitter is up-to-the-minute, useful, and unmatched in current social media. Here are a few tips to make Twitter work for you in you job hunt.

Be Careful With Your Username: When setting up your Twitter account, use your name like “JohnSmith” or “SSnyder.” Don’t name yourself “Dinosaur77” or “SuperHotDude5.” It won’t impress a future employer and will make it difficult for people to find you and your Twitter feed.

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Find Your Next Job Using Social Media

01/11/2010

Searching the Internet isn’t a new concept in job hunting, but social media is. It’s easier than ever before to search for exactly the job you want, just by utilizing social media.

Look Around: There are many social media opportunities for finding a job and using more than one in your job hunt is definitely a good idea. Sites like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, MySpace, and Craig’s List offer a whole new mechanism for looking for your first job, both on the local and national level. As far as the web goes, don't discount blogs either, especially local ones, which not only offer great tips for getting your first job (like this site) but may also serve as a message board for new job opportunities in your town.

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Using LinkedIn to Find Your First Job

03/10/2010

Founded in 2002, LinkedIn with more than 55 million registered online users. LinkedIn is the most well known and widely used professional social networking site in the world. LinkedIn has gained credibility because of its “gateway access approach” which limits your contact to people you are connected to directly or through other people.

By keeping unwanted soliciting at a minimum, the site not only allows users to search for jobs in their area, but also view profiles of the companies they might be interested in working for. While the advice below might be more applicable for college age students, students in high school may find the advice useful as well. Networking through LinkedIn can help you find a job directly, or help to keep you in contact with those you’ve met—and that may eventually lead to a job offer!

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Networking Your Way to a New Job

03/17/2010

Did you know that over 60 percent of jobs are found by networking?

You’ve probably heard the old saying, “It’s not always what you know, but who you know.” If you take that to heart, it could just help you land your first job.

You already have a built-in network—it’s called your friends, family, teachers, coaches or other people you know and look up to as mentors. Put your contacts to work for you by talking to them about your job search and asking for their advice. You may be surprised by the opportunities that turn up.

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Volunteering: Good for the Heart and Good for the Resume

03/19/2010

When you volunteer your time and hard work, you have an amazing opportunity to make a positive difference in your community. However, you may be surprised to find that volunteering can actually benefit YOU the most.

In today’s economy, many first-time job seekers are finding it difficult to get hired. It may be more productive to focus your time and energy on identifying the right volunteer opportunity and then treating that experience as a paying job.

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Can’t Find a Job? Create Your Own!

05/07/2010

Summer is right around the corner and if you have been striking out with the traditional paths to summer employment, maybe it’s time to get creative and start your own business! Starting your own lawn mowing, babysitting, dog walking, tutoring, or car washing service will allow you to do something that you are good at and enjoy while also learning valuable skills.

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You Got the Job, Now Don’t Get Fired!

05/26/2010

You took our advice throughout the interview process and landed your first job! Congratulations!

Now that you have the job it is important to make it through the probation period. Even if your new job does not have an official probation period, your employer will be evaluating you closely in your first few months on the job and too many mistakes could cost you. But don’t fear! Follow the steps below and you will be on your way to wowing your first boss!

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