Top 10 Social Sites for Finding a Job

Dan Schawbel is the author of Me 2.0: Build a Powerful Brand to Achieve Career Success, and owner of the award winning Personal Branding Blog.

Here at Mashable, we’re trying hard to help you stay afloat and succeed in the current economic crisis. We’ve told you how to build the ultimate social media resume, sites to visit if you’ve been laid off, and the secrets to finding your next job using social media tools. Now we’ll look at ten incredible social sites to help you in your job search.

Some of these sites allow you to craft a resume, while others are networking platforms that contain job listings. By signing up for all ten, you increase your chances of getting a job and decrease the amount of time you’ll spend searching for a new one. Three of the listed sites can be combined with other sites to be more impactful. In addition to joining, creating profiles and searching for jobs, I encourage you to support these sites with either a traditional website or blog, so that you have more to present to employers, in addition to your profile.

Have another social network you’d recommend? Tell us more about it in the comments.

1. LinkedIn

LinkedIn is by far the #1 spot for job seekers, those currently employed, marketers who are looking to build lists and salespeople who are seeking out new clients. With 35 million users, including recruiters and job seekers, LinkedIn is quite a hot spot. Of course, due to the current state of the economy, it’s simple to understand why LinkedIn is more popular than ever.



The problem is that most job seekers don’t optimize their profile, cultivate their network, join and participate in groups, use applications and exchange endorsements. That is basically everything you should be doing in a nutshell. I also recommend that you use a distinct URL (linkedin.com/in/yourfullname) and an avatar that best represents you and is consistent with the picture on your other social sites.

When you search for a job, recognize who in your network might help you get to the hiring manager. You’re given 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree connections on LinkedIn that you should be using to secure a job opening.

2. Plaxo With Simply Hired

Plaxo is a social network that resembles LinkedIn to a certain degree. You’re able to create your own profile with a section about you, your contact information and your “pulse stream,” which is made up of your presence on social media sites such as Twitter. You’re even able to share your photo album and send eCards, which is a nice differentiator.

The real value in Plaxo is the address book that keeps track of all of your contact information, including a Yahoo! Map indicating where your contacts live. Plaxo, which is owned by Comcast, is also integrated with Simply Hired, which is a job aggregator that searches thousands of job sites and companies and aggregates them in a single location for you. After building your Plaxo profile, use it as part of the recruitment process when applying for jobs with Simply Hired for success.

3. Twitter With Blog or LinkedIn URL

Twitter is an amazing tool if you can unlock its power. It’s taken me months to understand how conversations flow and how I can add to the discussion. Twitter breaks down communication barriers and lets you talk directly to hiring managers, without having to submit a resume immediately to a machine.

Although Twitter is probably one of the best networking tools on the planet, it needs to be supplemented with a blog or LinkedIn profile. There’s no way you can hire someone based on a Twitter profile, without having a link from that profile to something else that gives more information on that job seeker. You get to add one URL to your profile, so choose wisely.

4. Jobster

Jobster isn’t spoken about nearly enough, yet it is a powerful platform for networking with employers who are offering jobs, while you’re searching. You can upload your resume, embed your video resume, showcase links to your site, your picture and tag your skills, which is a unique differentiator. You can search for open positions and see who the person is who posted the job. Then you can add them to your network and connect with them to find out more about the position.

5. Facebook

Facebook can be used to get jobs. There are two main ways of acquiring a job through Facebook. The first is to go to your Facebook marketplace, which lists job openings or other opportunities in your network. Aside from jobs, there are “items wanted” and a “for sale” listing. When searching for jobs, you’ll be able to see who listed the item and then message them to show your interest.

When you find a job opening that you’re interested in, you’ll be able to message the hiring manager directly. For instance, the subject line of the message will auto-populate with “Principal Web Developer in Littleton, MA” in the subject line. The second way to get a job using Facebook is to join groups and fan pages to find people with common interests and to network with them.

6. Craigslist

Craigslist is an extremely valuable job search tool if you’re not looking to work for a big brand name company, such as P&G or GE. Most of the positions on Craigslist are for consultants (design/programming help) and at small to midsize companies that are hiring. There are new listings every day and if you wake up to this site every morning and refresh the page, you have a good chance at getting a job sooner rather than later.

7. MyWorkster With Indeed

MyWorkster focuses on exclusive networks for colleges, allowing students and alumni to connect for exclusive career opportunities. This site isn’t valuable to you if you didn’t go to college though. This social network allows you to create a professional profile and network with potential employers.



For a free account, you get a profile, instant messenger built in the site, groups, events, your resume and more. The big differentiator is that it uses Facebook Connect to get your information. Here is an example of a profile page. MyWorkster also has job listings, which are provided by Indeed, a job search engine and aggregator, which is very similar to Simply Hired.

8. VisualCV

VisualCV understands the importance of personal branding in a job search. Instead of a traditional resume, you get your own branded webpage, where you can add video, audio, images, graphs, charts, work samples, presentations and references. VisualCVs not only let you stand out from the crowd, but communicate your value in a way that’s not possible with static text.

After you’ve created your VisualCV, you can display it publicly or privately, email it to a recruiter, save it as a PDF or forward the URL, which will rank high for your name. On the site, you can search for jobs and apply directly using your VisualCV. Everybody’s favorite venture capitalist, Guy Kawasaki, is on their board.

9. JobFox

JobFox, like online dating, tries to pair you up with a job that best fits you. Their differentiator is their “Mutual Suitability SystemTM” that enables them to match your wants and needs to those of employers to find the best relationship. The system learns about your skills, experiences, and goals and then presents you with jobs.

Then there’s the “Jobfox Intro,” where both the applicant and company get emails to encourage the connection. Just like VisualCV, you get your own branded website, with a personal web address to send to employers. JobFox was created by Rob McGovern, the founder of Careerbuilder.com.

10. Ecademy

Ecademy, like LinkedIn, is a prime source for professional networking. You have your own online profile, where you can tell people what you do. You can join business networking groups based around your expertise and exchange messages with other members privately. You can also ask for introductions from friends, just like LinkedIn. Although, there isn’t a job search area on the site, 80% of jobs are from networking and this place is dedicated to it.

Did You Know? "DYK"

Majority of hiring managers base their decision to hire, not only by interviewing and the face value of resumes, but by a variety of assessments as well.

In the upcomming weeks, PrideStaff will be administering assessments in a variety of areas.

Please continue to check back weekly to see which assessments PrideStaff is offering at no charge.

Unlock The Potential of Your Team

Before we can unlock human potential, we need to know what it is. Human potentialis defined as an unexposed ability and hidden power. For a rock
seated on a cliff, it has a dormant ability, a reserved power, but for you and I, it simply means unused success, hidden talents and capped capability.

To unlock human potential is to do what you can do but have yet to do it. We must also operate within the laws of human potential:

1. Every great thing starts potentially with an idea.

There is so much you can draw from our human brains, but yet we are told, the majority of us use only 3% of the brain power. What do you see when you are given an apple seed? One apple tree or an orchard of apple trees!

"Instant gratification is a close friend of laziness."

2. Nothing potentially great is ever instant.

With the advance in technology, most of us have become so used to the idea of instant gratification. We want things done yesterday, that’s how impatient we have become. One apple seed can take years before turning into an apple orchard. Likewise, unlocking human potential takes time too. Have you been realistic about the time you can reach your goals?

3. Your potential is released by hard work.

Instant gratification is a close friend of laziness. When you meet someone who seeks after instant gratification, you are most likely looking at a lazy person as well. Too many people have a misguided idea of the difference between working smarter and working harder. The best policy to adopt, in order to unlock the human potential in you, is to work hard smartly.

4. To maximize your potential, you need to use your talent and ability to its full capacity.

If you are in a new relationship or new business and if you have yet to experience disappointment, discouragement, tiredness, sense of wanting to give up, you are probably not using your talent and ability to its full capacity!

5. Constant comparison with others can harm your human potential.

Your biggest competition hides within you. Your business competitors can pose no threat to you if you have already conquered yourself. Take stock of what you have already achieved. Give an honest assessment of yourself or ask a close business associate or your spouse to do that.

6. Past experiences can harm your human potential.

Are you carrying too much emotional baggage in your life? Any ordinary human can look at their past and see failures, but it takes an extraordinary human to look at them and see valuable lessons. What you see about your past can determine how much potential you can unlock.

7. Potential is maximized when you invest in others

Are you sharing your potential? The highest form of learning happens when you learn to teach. I know I am most alert and committed when I am accountable to others. The greatest ROI in life is not achieved with stocks and shares but with the people whom you have invested time with to share your potential.

Questions You Should Ask During The Job Interview

At some point, usually at the conclusion of the interview, you may be asked, “Do you have any questions?” A common answer to this question is, “No, I think you’ve covered everything very well.” This is the wrong answer! You have passed up your opportunity to ask some critical questions that may make a a difference as to whether you want to work for this company.

Here are some rules and basic questions to consider asking when asked if you have questions:

Rule #1

Ask questions. This is a critical time for you to find out insider information about the company or position.

Rule #2

Formulate your questions based on information you hear during the interview.

Rule #3

Bring a list of potential questions to ask, at least four or five, as a back up. Example: You’ve been discussing your system; could you tell me what has been tried in the past to deal with the problem? (Listen carefully to the answer given, as this may be your chance to inform the interviewer of our past experience with the same type of problem.)

"Paying attention to clues and listening are the keys to asking intelligent questions."

Question #1

There are a lot of companies laying off right now. How has this company been able to maintain the workforce and continue to hire new employees? (You’ve done your research and know some of the reasons, but are interested in the insider point of view.)

Question #2

Could you tell me about the way the job has been performed in the past? And, what improvements you’d like to see happen? (This is an opportunity to convince the interviewer that you have what he/she is looking for by giving a specific, similar past experience story.)

Question #3

How would you describe the culture or spirit in this company? (One of the interviewer’s concerns is whether you will fit into the company culture. You need more information to see if this would be a good environment and fit for you.)

Question #4
What are the challenges I would face in this position over the next three months?(Your first 90 days on the job is a critical time for any new hire. You need to know what will be expected of you as you start your learning curve.)

Question #5

When I responded to your question regarding my past experience handling stress, you commented that you have your share of that here. Could you tell me more about the stress level here? (Clues are given and problems alluded to during the interview – listen carefully and turn up your intuition. Ask questions if you need clarification.

Question #6

May I ask what your background with the company is? (There’s a big difference between showing an interest in someone and grilling them. Interviewers don’t like being cross-examined. Ask friendly questions and be alert to clues regarding this person’s satisfaction with the company.)

Question #7

How would you describe your management style and interaction with your staff? (You may need to read between the lines here. Make sure this manager’s communication and style fit with your ideas and values.)

Question #8

Ideally, what qualities are needed to get this job done? (This is a chance for you to sell yourself, and tell once more why you are such an excellent fit for the position – the added-value you would bring to the company.)

Question #9

I am very interested in pursuing this job further. What is the next step in the hiring process? (It is best to find out what the hiring plan is so that you will know the sense of urgency and how to follow up.)

The types of questions you ask will be determined by the conversation and types of questions asked of you during the interview. Pay attention to the interviewer’s body language to determine how many questions to ask – relaxed and willing to talk, or in a hurry and running late?

Lastly, make sure your questions are succinct and to the point, demonstrating your knowledge and interest.

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