Increasing Employee & Client Engagement

We have talked numerous times about the changes in how we discover, communicate and share information.  I go to a half dozen networking meetings a week and more than half the people there are in job “transition”.  My heart goes out to them.  The first two questions, I ask is do they have a blog, how are they using LinkedIn, and other social networks to connect.

Here are my things anyone should be doing who is looking for a job.

1.       Hopefully you are already engaged in Social Media.   Get on your social networks and let every person you know, that you are looking.  Give them a list of 20 or 25 target companies you would be interested in talking to.  I am a connector and love to try to help people.  Your network may know someone in that company and may only be able to give you a contact or that vital crack you need to get a toe in the door.

I get 5 people who contact me a week on LinkedIn by searching for my company, see me in a discussion or a news article I post and reach out to me.  Asking for ideas, insights, or other thoughts on open positions in my company, what networking meetings I am doing, read my blog for ideas on Social Media or whatever it might be.  They are active.

2.       If you are not yet on Social Media.  I always recommend to everyone I talk to to get planted and start spreading seeds.  If you are reading this and employed, and not on Social Media then get on it.  If you do get displaced and already have your network set up while you are employed you will be way ahead of the game.   It is like anything, it takes time to grow roots.  It takes effort, water & sunshine for growth.   It is best to always add value to your network because you cant just come to them when you need them.

3.       Create A Blog – This is better than a resume.   This is a great way to show your expertise and share your thought leadership around your industry’s body of knowledge.  Discuss topics and provide solutions to your industry’s target audience. 

4.       Create a Dynamic LinkedIn Profile – Use your background as a way to share what future employers will get from you.  Be careful, it is OK to talk about your past accomplishments, but make sure you share how those can be applied to future scenarios.  

Create a powerful PowerPoint presentation and put it on Slideshare  that might share customer stories & referrals, case studies and other engaging insights.   You can also incorporate Videos into your profile.

5.       Recommendations on LinkedIn – People who are hiring are looking for validation & social proof that customers endorse them.   That is a great and easy way to get people to share how you have helped them, solved their problems and made the world a better place.

6.       Join Groups on LinkedIn, industry forums, meetup.com or other social forums.   Engage in dialogue and conversations.  Your next employer may be on there and see a question you ask or answer.   Do not post you are looking for a job like a billboard in those areas.  The discussions are ways to share your ideas, insights, best practices, expertise & thought leadership.  Help people and provide value.  In your signature put all the places people can connect with you.  There is tab for Job Postings.

7.       Read Industry Blogs & Contribute – Post comments and engage in the discussion.  Another great way to show your expertise and promote yourself.

8.       VisualCV – Is an online resume source.  http://www.visualcv.com/  - 3-D virtual representation of your experience and who you are. 

9.       You still want to post your resume on all the Job boards, like Monster, Career Builder etc.

10.   Get out and be seen.  Do not forget to get out from behind the computer and meet people in networking events and other social or business occasions.    Try to have coffee with at least 10 people a week.  Add value to the conversation and also do not forget to  bring your target companies list.

+1 – One to grow on – I have met several people who are reading and sharpening the saw.  Invest in yourself.  This is the best advice.   While you are doing this, donate time to a non profit 10 hours a week and use what you are learning.