Social media is picking up speed as one of the best ways to search for jobs. One of the newer platforms, increasing in popularity, is Pinterest. Pinterest is a virtual cork board, which allows you to “pin” or upload photos and images from different websites.

Pinterest is great for finding the latest fashions or delicious recipes, but it can also be helpful in a job search. How can this visual tool guide you? Here are some ideas.

1. Find and research potential companies: Many organizations and companies are now creating their own Pinterest boards to showcase different aspects about their company. It’s a very useful human resources tool. From company picnic photos to awards sessions, it’s a nice way to display a work culture.
2. Organize your passion: If you are unsure which field you really want to move in to, Pinterest can help. You can find and “pin” various images of things that interest you, whether it be gardening, economics or home repair. Pinterest is a great tool to organize thoughts and goals.
3. Create a portfolio: If you are in a design field, Pinterest is a great way to show off some of your work. But, because it is not a sales tool, be sure to include inspiring pins from others as well.
4. Find facts on different industries: You can search for any industry on Pinterest. Take a look at different boards from social media employment to medical, and find articles that can teach you more.

Of course, like any other social media platform, there are some pitfalls. A few things to keep an eye out for:

1. Privacy controls: Potential employers could be searching you as well. If you have an entire board of hot CEOs next to “Companies I’d Like To Work For,” well, they may be flattered, but also wary. You can also choose to link your Facebook and Twitter pages. Make sure to check out Pinterest’s help section, to teach you how to privatize your use.
2. Timesuck: Pinterest can be, well, addictive. Make sure to use only 15-20 minutes an hour and take breaks with it, rather than rely on it for your entire job search.

Clark Personnel Service always keeps up with the latest and greatest recruiting and job seeking tools. Call us today for more help on your search!

What’s one very necessary part of your job search? Monitoring your online reputation. So Google your own name! You need to know what employers are going to see when they search it.

Employers research potential employees more than 80% of the time, according to recent research. If you’ve applied for a job or are being considered for a job, the name you put on your resume or application will probably be Googled

Do you know what results show up if someone Googles your name?

People have had their job searches damaged by their own mistakes—posting inappropriate photos or videos online or making nasty comments on blogs and other public forums.

Sometimes it’s someone else’s mistakes that can harm you—if someone with your same name did something illegal or stupid, like robbing a bank or posting revealing personal photos. Few employees will take the time to double-check what they see online. If there is any confusion or uncertainty, they’ll just move on to the next applicant.

So, what should you do?

1. Know what online content is associated with your name.
Run your search. If there are no issues, consider yourself very lucky. If there are issues, the steps below will help you address them.

2. Pick a clean, relatively unique version of your name to use publicly.
Assume that, unless your name is very unique, someone else with the same name will turn up eventually, so use more than your first and last name.

If there is harmful content about you online, or if you share a name with someone who has a bad online reputation, find and claim a “clean” version of your name.

Add your middle name or middle initial, turn your first and middle name into initials, or figure out some other change that makes your name unique (but still professional).

3. Establish, or re-name, your LinkedIn and Google profiles with the clean name.

You have two powerful platforms to clean up your online presence: LinkedIn and Google. You can control what they tell the world about you. And Google ranks both sites’ results high on Google search results pages.

Go to Linkedin.com and profiles.Google.com to set up or modify your profiles—using your “clean name.”

Going forward, use that “clean name” online, on your resume, on everything public that’s associated with your work/professional life. Don’t use one version on your resume and another on your LinkedIn profile.

The Bottom Line? Monitoring and managing your online reputation is a necessity in today’s job market. The sooner you get started, the better for your job search and career.

And if you need more advice on how to find the perfect job, or help finding it—contact Clark Personnel today!

Just like when you’re dating, looking desperate isn’t going to get you anywhere in your job search. If you seem too anxious, employers will question your motives and you’ll lose credibility in an instant.

 What are two signs that you’re coming across the wrong way?

1. You’re Using the “Spray’n'Pray” Technique

If you’re sending out the same resume and cover letter to multiple positions a day, you’re going to look not only desperate but unprofessional and unqualified. A recruiter will disregard a resume from someone who #1, looks like they’ll take any job they can get their hands on and #2, doesn’t even bother to personalize his resume or cover letter for the job in question.

2. You’re Excusing Your Actions with “Someone told me to…”

For too long, the typical ‘expert’ advice was to call the recruiter and/or employer just to “check in” and make sure they read your resume— and put you at the top of the pile. In this day and age, this won’t make you stand out. If anything, you’ll just annoy the recruiter and probably guarantee your resume goes either to the bottom of the pile or in the trash can. A hiring manager wants enthusiasm from a new employee, but not desperation.

But Shouldn’t I Do Whatever It Takes To Get A New Job?

Of course you should try everything—within reason. You only get one chance with each company, and you want to make it count. Instead of applying, imagine being headhunted or even contacted directly by a hiring manager. This would put you in a much stronger bargaining position to leverage from, especially if get a job offer. Try to get yourself referred to a recruiter via somebody else. Or work on your personal branding, start getting active online, give talks in your field and raise your profile. Employers and recruiters will come after you, not the other way around.

How To Avoid Looking Desperate

Have high standards and only go after jobs that you really want. By only applying for the right roles for you, you’ll save your time and effort for the ones that really count. Furthermore, recruiters and employers will respect your integrity and remember you for the next opportunity they have that is more relevant to your preferences.

You want to turn the tables and be truly different than other jobseekers. You don’t want to be pushy. Just like in dating, the hard-to-gets get more offers and can pick and choose. Set standards for yourself, remember your dignity and make it work!