הקהילה הזאת נראית כמו הצרות שלי, אז אסתפק בשכפול במאמר.. תרגום? חפשו אצלי בבלוג מיתוג אישי באינטרנט

Do you find yourself applying to jobs using the same old jobs boards without any results? Instead of performing a typical job search, I want you to think about “people searching” instead.  The core of employment has always been networking, but now, with social networks, people are accessible and willing to connect. Here’s how to get started:

A guide to people searching

1 Create a list of the top three to five companies you want to work for.

2 Next to each company, list the positions that match your skills and passions.

3 Load the following sites into your Internet browser window: Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, Technorati, Pipl.com and any industry social networks.

4 Search for names, positions and companies in each engine.  For example, if you dream of a PR position with Edelman, do a Google search on “Edelman press release.”  You’ll be able to find contact names and their e-mail addresses. 

5 Gather your list of contact names from the companies you want to work for and track down their online presence. See if any of the contact names have Twitter accounts.

6 Follow your list of names on Twitter, re-tweet them, ask them questions and start conversations to make initial contact with them.

7 After a week or two, direct message them or e-mail them. They will open your e-mail because they already know you. Then ask them questions about their company and if you can do an informational interview.

8 Repeat this process for one contact name at each company you chose. If one of them turns into an interview, great.  If not, then move onto the second contact at each company.

This method works because it’s targeted, genuine and you’re building relationships in neutral territory. By applying to jobs through traditional methods you become just another number, and your résumé travels into the black hole of résumé land. People search today, and applying for a job through a Web site will be a thing of the past.

—Dan Schawbel is the leading personal branding expert for Gen-Y and author of “Me 2.0.”  Follow him on Twitter @ DanSchawbel.

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