Getting employers to notice you through social media

For years I have coached clients on how to get to be the “known” candidate in a job search. When an employer needs a job filled quickly they first look at who they already know who may have the skills to step into the job quickly without having to conduct a lengthy search. As a Career Consultant, I help clients strategize on how to make themselves “known” to an employer before a job is even posted to increase their chances of being selected. Typically this is done through networking and informational interviews. But now social media adds a whole other component to becoming the “known” candidate. In Oct. 23 Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal article http://twincities.bizjournals.com/twincities/stories/2009/10/26/story3.html?surround=etf&ana=e_article, Steve Lewis, Talent Acquisition leader at Deluxe Corp. talks about how he wants Deluxe to create communities of passive candidates who show an ongoing interest in Deluxe and follow the company’s recent developments. This is another way for a individuals to become “known” to an employer before there is even an available job. So my counsel to clients now includes strategically following through LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook target companies they are interested in. I tell them to show the company that you are interested in them and that company may just turn around and show interest in you.