How To Get Hired Using Social Media
June 22, 2008 by Jonathan · Leave a Comment
I was lucky enough to know and be on the bleeding edge of social-networking when it began several years ago. I also spent a lot of time cultivating and contributing to my online identity and making connections with people online. The good news is that you don’t have to be an early adopter, or an Internet wiz to get hired using social media.
Looking for a job isn’t easy, and it can be very frustrating. Social media can help, but it’s not a replacement for old fashioned phone calls, emails, and letters. When I graduated from the Missouri School of Journalism I had multiple job offers, and the best of those offers were ones that I came across or was a candidate for because of social media.
For some time, I had been Twittering, Facebooking, and Blogging. I spent money to make sure my blog looked good. I spent hours finding interesting people on Twitter. I stayed up late when I should have been doing other things honing in my online portfolio. And you know what? It all paid off.
One job offer came from a person who followed me on Twitter for two months and noticed that I was talking with increased frequency about finding a job. A couple phone calls and emails later, I was interviewing and had an offer before I got home from visiting.
The other job offer from social-media crossed platforms, I knew the person who knew about a job, but we follow each other on Twitter, and are Facebook friends. Again, my talking about finding a job was seen by this person and I got a Facebook message about openings where she worked. It just so happened that this job was a perfect fit, I got the offer, and took it.
In two paragraphs I just explained how I got a job using social media, but that’s not incredibly useful is it? To help with that, here are my tips and suggestions on finding a job using social-media.
- Put your portfolio and resume online. This is more important than you realize. You’ve just in an instant opened up your resume and portfolio of work to the millions of people online. Now you just need to help people find it.
- Sign up for Twitter and find some people with similar interests to tweet back and forth with. You’ll quickly understand by looking at some of the so called Twitterati how useful and powerful this service is. After you sign up for an account “follow” @chrisbrogan, @guykawasaki, and @scobleizer the three of them have thousands of followers already and actively tweet throughout the day and night. A lot can be learned by example.
- Start a blog. This is a GREAT way to show off your knowledge and skills. This doesn’t have to be complex, start it off on Blogger or Wordpress.com if you want (although I would highly suggest putting wherever you portfolio and resume is). Write one or twice a week at first about what you’re working on, what you’re thinking about (that relates to your job ambitions), and your goals. Some of the best job related feedback I got was on my blog by people emailing and commenting when I wrote a post about “My Ideal Job”.
- Drive traffic to your online portfolio and resume. Do this by putting links on your Facebook page, in your Twitter profile, putting it in big type at the top of your paper resume, and by having it on ALL correspondence online and off. You never know where emails or resumes may get forwarded, and if your online portfolio is linked right there for easy access it makes a world of difference.
- Make It Personal. This is your job hunt, and it’s not going to be easy, but by taking advantage of the basics of social-media your job hunt can expand beyond the traditional into the extraordinary. Social media doesn’t work unless you’re human and make it personal. Being professional and sharing ideas is going to increase your credibility, but not including personal moments will exclude you from the conversation.
A Personal Update
April 19, 2008 by Jonathan · 1 Comment
Today’s post has two different themes, 1) a change in blog format and 2) my job search.
I wanted to start out by saying that I’ve changed the way things work on here a little. After getting several emails, I re-evaluated having my Twitter updates archive to my blog. I’ve decided that there isn’t very much value derived from having those posts reposted here.
This blog and my Tweets fill very different needs and have very different value. I have decided that while having a searchable archive of my Tweets here was nice for me, it really wasn’t providing very much value to you, my valued readers. I’ve disabled the cross-posting of Tweets on this blog until a better solution crops up.
In the meantime, be sure to Follow me on Twitter. About two weeks ago I hit 300 followers on Twitter and am now proud to be followed by nearly 350 people. Thank you so much for your support and I hope that you enjoy the insight and knowledge that I share with the community.
On another personal note, you may have noticed that my blogging has been inconsistent as of late. This is a short-term situation and I hope to resume normal daily posting very soon. As you know, I’ve been actively seeking full-time employment, and looking is nearly a full-time job. Normally I would be writing daily and scheduling posts a day or two ahead of schedule about ideas, thoughts, and conversations happening. However, I don’t want to jeopardize any of the opportunities coming down the pipe.
I’ve already had to make some tough decisions, and there will be no shortage of more difficult decisions for at least the next several weeks. As I make those decisions and finalize plans, I will post some information from the numerous conversations I’ve been having with wonderful people across the country on the future of information and knowledge distribution (formerly known as the news business).
If you haven’t already, I’d like to invite you to subscribe to my blog via email by using the form in the right-side column or by adding my RSS feed to your feed reader.
links for 2008-03-18
March 18, 2008 by Jonathan · Leave a Comment
Jonathan’s Twitter Updates for 2008-02-08
February 8, 2008 by Jonathan · Leave a Comment
- My new found love for Backups is underway, I’ve got TimeMachine running, DVDs of photos burning, and files uploading! #
- Well, I’m still uploading pics to my backup server, which makes working on my own personal site v-e-r-y slow #
- Good night Twitterville, I’m off to bed #
- At work, not real busy today so working on my portfolio, I need a real job! #
- If you haven’t been to my Portfolio/Resume site in a while check it out, I’ve been working on it! http://tinyurl.com/22bts3 #
- Hmm lunch tim then Sams Club #
- Working on my Awesome personal site for a bit, needs more pictures! #
- Got some good news about Contributr today #
Technology Skills
January 23, 2008 by Jonathan · Leave a Comment
Because different types of content demand different usage of technology, I strive to stay abreast of the latest ways to create and distribute content in multiple media formats. From creative and collaborative, to vision and video, Software and technology tools shouldn’t dictate the way content spreads I’ve broken down the tools that I use into categories according to how much I’ve used them.
I’m very comfortable with and have trained others in the professional use of the following tools:
- Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe Bridge
- Adobe Photoshop Extended
- Adobe Dreamweaver
- Adobe Flash Professional
- Adobe InDesign
- Apple iLife Suite
- Apple iWork Suite
- Apple Final Cut Studio
- Avid iNews
- Avid Active Content Manager
- Avid Newscutter
- Fox Interactive Media CMS - FOX licensed content management system used by FOX affiliates
I’m very comfortable in using the following tools and know how and where to get assistance when needed:
Open-source software that I have used and developed using:
Web Technologies that I have developed with:
- PHP
- Ruby/Rails
- Django
- XHTML
- HTML
- CSS
- MySQL
Resume
January 19, 2008 by Jonathan · Leave a Comment
Click here to download a PDF version of my Resume.
Profile
Using my journalistic and inquisitive eye I’m able to generate new and exciting ideas for content delivery using new or existing frameworks. My ability to take new ideas and concepts and translate them in team and managerial style as well as communicate the technical feasibility and usage allows me to effectively lead and organize new communication initiatives.
Managerial
Product Manager, PBS Engage - Public Broadcasting Service - May 2008-Present
PBS Engage is the social-media initiative of the Public Broadcasting Service. As product manager, I create new ideas and ways for PBS corporate, and all 350 member stations across the country to use and participate in social media. Launching products, services, and tools that PBS could use allowed me to creatively enhance and build upon my ideas and research in social-media.
Web Editor/Reporter - KOMU-TV 8 - Aug 2005-Present
I produced unique online content on a daily basis, coordinated and produced multi-platform news presentations, as well as managed, and presented breaking news. In addition to the content generation and editorial roles, I worked to integrate the technical operations of the station to enhance their online presence.
Convergence Reporter/Editor - Columbia Missourian - Aug 2005- Dec 2007
I generated weekly feature story ideas and sources, coordinated and produced multi-platform news coverage and researched and analyzed data for extended news projects.
KBIA-FM, Columbia, MO - Aug 2005-Dec 2006
As a convergence reporter and editor I worked with reporters and producers to gather story ideas and sources, lead and coordinate story meetings. I also prepared and published packages and newscasts as podcasts.
Managerial Experience
Owner/Operator, Online Nursery - May 2006- Aug 2007
I founded this plant and seed company and grew it into an online mail-order company selling to retail and wholesale customers. I managed several employees, built the online ordering system, negotiated pricing with suppliers, and shipped over 3,000 live plants across the country.
ADA Assistant, Aug 2007-Present
As an assistant to the Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator I worked with students and employees of the University of Missouri to ensure compliance with ADA rules and regulations. in addition, I researched and negotiated solutions for disabled persons affiliated with the University.
Education
Missouri School of Journalism, BJ May 2008, Convergence Journalism with an emphasis in Broadcast and Online Media. Minor in Sociology.
Journalism
January 19, 2008 by Jonathan · Leave a Comment
First we had newspapers, then radio and television, and now the Internet, cell phones, and more. The practice of journalism has evolved for a long time and will continue to change. In recent years however, the way journalists and news media present facts and information has changed dramatically. Journalists and the business behind the news can no longer sleep heavily and depend on slow growth and profits.
The constant invention and expansion of news delivery formats has increased the demand for journalists, producers, and sales people to exert more time and energy in forging new relationships and connections with more people and businesses.
As news and information is further commoditized it becomes more important for a journalistic entity to expand it’s reach and stretch it’s resources.
Here are some journalism pieces that I either wrote or edited for various news organizations. All links open in a new window
WDAF-TV 4 (Fox Affiliate)
Special Projects:
Kelsey Smith, 18, was ubducted from a Target parking lot. I generated original and online exclusive content including live-streaming from SkyFox helicopter, live-chats taking questions from viewers, and moderating hundreds of blogs and discussion board posts.
Planned, Designed, and Implemented Afternoon Web Update. This is a brief that is posted every-day from 3PM till 5PM with ‘everything you need to know for the drive home’.
Moderated and participated in FOX sponsored chat and blog sessions on a daily basis.
Planned, designed, programmed, and prepared for launch a special pets related micro-site.
General Assignment:
- New KCMO HR Director Missing
- Kansas City Kansas Man Fights For Custody
- Child Sent to Hospital For Tick Bite
- Woman Jogger Nearly Abducted in Lenexa
- Ruling Opens Doors For Executions to Resume
KOMU-TV 8 (NBC Affiliate)
Special Projects:
Planned, Designed, and Coordinated a community site for viewer interaction based on the open source Drupal project.
Moderate and Post blogs and news updates to legacy discussion board system.
Jonathan’s Twitter Updates for 2007-12-12
December 12, 2007 by Jonathan · Leave a Comment
- I see Twitter picked back up again this evening, I’ll get caught up here in a bit. #
- @acafourek Twitter Tuesday has been amazing, I’ve seen some really great convo, and made some great new connections. #
- @chrisbrogan which forum are you talking about? #
- How does Twitter integrate into what you do professionally? #
- @conniereece are there plenty of new-media rockstars attending SxSW? I might have to put it on my calendar. #
- @splashjumanji I hope it works out well for you! #
- @timong I’m still amazed when I see IE showing up in my server logs, sigh.. when will it end? #
- @conniereece I’ll be job searching at that point, and my dream is to work somewhere that’s got a social media plan I can work on #
- @splashjumanji I keep trying to get it adopted, it’s been a slow process, but we’re working on it #
- @conniereece so I’m scoping out some of these events to spread my prospects, my family is in Houston so I could kill2birds in 1 trip #
- @abitofsanity but can they defeat the villians? #
- @ijustine meeting go well? #
- @acydlord I dunno, sounds fishy to me. #
- @jowyang what are your recommendations? #
- @acafourek it works decently, could use a better feature-set but not too shabby: http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/air/samples/ #
- @conniereece if only that person was ‘lifecasting’ during the event, now that’d be GEEKY #
- @acafourek, I spent this morning looking for the same thing, ping me if you find one #
- hmm interesting @jowyang thanks for the assist! #
- Just had a minor heart-attack, a professor emailed me wondering where my final paper was! #
- eek, I emailed it a week ago per her instructions! #
- @alissa no, no it’s really not
# - Headed to bed, I’ve done about all the work I’m able to do today. #
- Awake (ftw!) #
- Who’s using http://www.channelme.tv/ I noticed @ijustine has hooked up with them, it’s an interesting concept what do u think? #
- Testing starts at eight #
- @jdcoffman FTW! how about you? #
- @guykawasaki have fun, I’ve never even tried to play hockey, doubtful I could even skate on ice. #
- @kidmarmite is SL just crazy? I can’t convince myself to signup and get in there. #
- @justinKownacki should I just use the ‘comments’ to comment on the vids? #
- @santacause do you toss some coins into the red buckets of the Salvation Army this time of year? #
- Watching last nights Boston Legal #
- There’s a fat Gray squirrel skating around outside! #
- Freaking university research rules, they’re refusing to pay for my user-testing until I’m approved for ‘human research’ #
- Running Yaumin to Khols #
- Do you gave a social media resume? #
Jonathan’s Twitter Updates for 2007-11-28
November 28, 2007 by Jonathan · Leave a Comment
- Eating dinner, I slept much of the afternoon, I think last week finally caught up with me #
- Working on my resume, willing to review it? DM me and I’ll shoot it your way #
- Watching Charlie Brown’s Christmas special, and working on my resume #
- Journalists video chatting from the US, Poland, Argentina, and Russia? no problem! #
- Just finished a virtual meeting with my Adobe AIR team, it went well #
- Paying bills, then headed to bed #
- Getting ready for work #
- Dang! my parents have MU tickets for this weekend in San Antonio, not fair! #
- Trying to decide which state to get my drivers license from next. #
- Headed out to run some quick errands #
- @ijustine sounds like a heck of a suitcase! #
- @chrisbrogan So many tweets these days! Not that I’m complaining. #
- @deanpence no worries religion is always a sticky subject. #
- hmm, anything good happen today? #
Does Print or Online Come First - The Poynter Series
September 16, 2007 by Jonathan · Leave a Comment
This Poynter article outlines how due to a difference in time zones a freelance writer came under fire because a popular blog scooped his story before the traditional weeklies that pay him for his content published.
This isn’t the first I’ve heard of online news organizations scooping traditional media 
however this happens to be an arrangement where there was a freelancer involved and his story was being syndicated by numerous papers and blogs.
The story was controversial and therefor garnered a lot of attention, however his regular paying customers (the weekly papers) were unhappy because they wanted the glory and controversy following their printing.
Now, I’m not very familiar with the way contracts and freelancers work, but I would presume that often syndicated content gets ’scooped’ if you can even call it scooping in this case, quite often in the online world.
I come across stories and information often online that is being published before the embargo had lapsed.
Take a read at the detail and let me know what you think.
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