I mentioned this a while back and figured I’d go into a little more detail on how exactly to get your name out there. By now, we all know about the social media aspect, but here’s the thing: if you can’t be found online, you don’t exist.

Because there are hundreds of people applying for that one job, if it’s not easy to read your resume, find your contact information, etc then HR is going to give up and go the next person. You need to make it as easy as possible for people to find you. Not comfortable putting your contact info online? I wrote another post addressing that specifically, because I had a story. But now is not the time. Lesson for today is: how to exist online.

5 easy, but time consuming, steps:

1. Google yourself. Make sure to use quotes, ex: “Marian Schembari” (that prevents Google from showing Marian Jones and James Schembari who happen to be on the same page). Are all the sites on the first page you? If not, on to step two:
2. If you have a super common name, you might be out of luck. But if you can find a way to get yourself online along with keywords for your industry, that could definitely help. Ex: “‘Marian Schembari’ and publishing”. Now, I think I’m the only Marian Schembari in existence, but you get the point.
3. Create a web page. Doesn’t have to be complicated, but I say the prettier the better. I like 1&1 for website hosting. Include your resume, contact info, references and work samples if applicable.
4. Create as many profiles as you can: LinkedIn, Google, ZoomInfo, Jigsaw, Naymez, Ning, etc etc. Because these are all big sites, they’ll show up first on the page. It takes awhile for your own personal homepage or blog to show on a search, but if you’re linking to it left and right, it will pop up quicker.
5. Blog. Use your free time during the job search to become an expert. This blog is about publishing, but the job hunt doesn’t differ much from industry to industry. My friends are in acting so they should learn about how the economy is effecting theater prices, stage manager layoffs, movie reviews, whatever. Not only does it get your name out there, but it gives you something to talk about during interviews and establishes you as a valuable resource.
6. Guest blog. Find people with similar sites or blogs based on your interests and ask nicely if you can post. Many wont respond and many will say no, but just having one or two a) highlights your writing and b) puts your name out there! And you can link back to your online resume… When I Google myself (yes, yes I do) one of the first things that pops up is Debbie Stier’s post on HarperStudio. Because tons more people read her than me, it’s almost always first on the list. That being said, she links back to me so it works.

So there you go. Make it easy for employers to find you, a more detailed work history you can’t fit on a resume, comments from other employers (email them for quotes, if you left on good terms, I’ve found they always want to help) and your contact info. By doing this you’re showing them who you are and that you’re a serious contender for a position.

Tagged as: creative ideas, facebook, Guest Bloggers, human resources, interviews, networking, publicity, resume, Social Media, tips