I could ramble on forever about resume formats, cover letters, your online profile, network building, the value of written communication, great job hunting websites and resources, and on, and on, and on…but – when it comes right down to it, the most exciting part of job hunting these days is the role social media can play in that search. Yes. Everyone needs a network. Yes. Everyone needs to be conscious of their online profile and walk that very thin line between your personal and professional lives. Yes. Everyone has the ability to use social media to their advantage when job hunting. But the truth is, most people don’t know what that means or how to do it.

So what is the key to job hunting success?

The hiring manager.

You see – this is where most people go wrong. They focus on defining what they want in a new job and use the traditional paths of navigating through Human Resources organizations to find a job. Channels like outside recruiters, job boards, blind social media posts (I.e., “I need a job doing X. Anyone know someone who’s hiring?”), following social media job boards, and even job fairs and newspaper ads.

All of this works – but if you want to experience success you need to hear one thing during your conversations. You need to hear, “I AM HIRING.” If you hear those three magical words you know you have a better shot than any of the other people trying those other things. You have a direct line to the hiring manager. You may build rapport, invest time to better understand their challenges, and tailor your communications to their goals. It is the best possible spot a job hunter can find him or herself in.

Those traditional channels of navigating the HR process might get you in front of the hiring managers. But how do you accelerate that process? Or how do you stand out from the other candidates you’re competing against? Find the hiring manager in a more creative fashion and use all the tools available to you to do it more quickly than those other candidates.

If you think of this as a database segmentation project (because all geeks like me do) then you just need to define your hiring manager audience.

• What software would your potential boss want you to use?
• What special skills would your potential boss want you to use?
• What would some of the titles be for your potential boss?
• What size company would your boss work for?
• How large would your team be?
• What industry would your potential boss work in?
• What are the pain points for these potential hiring managers (compliance? resource overload? budget? technology constraints?)

Once you’ve defined the qualities of your new boss it becomes easier. You may use the social medias to find the local events and groups where your prospective manager might participate. You may conduct conversations with those perspective managers because you better understand where they’re coming from and how your background and experience will assist them. You still need to end up in a position that matches your long-term career goals, but focusing your search on the hiring manager will get you there more quickly.

I am not currently in the job market looking for a position, but I was as recently as January 2010. I also have many (more than I can count on one hand) friends and family members in the job market. And, many more who are considering entering the job market as we speak (the mass exodus that will happen when the economy starts to shift as MANY miserable and overworked employees leave at once shocking their employers because they thought everything was A-OK is fodder for another post.)

While talking to them, I get the distinct impression that some people think of social media networking – especially LinkedIn – as a tool you use once you’ve lost or job. And, that it’s just a site you plod along with while you’re working, but don’t really engage all that much. You know – accept the occasional LinkedIn request, sign in to approve it and sign out.

The point I was trying to make with my Tweet exchange with @wileyccoyote (and she totally gets it – she’s a social media rock star with INgage Networks) is that if you wait until you’ve already lost your job then you’re missing the whole point of networking. And – it’s not just about amassing large numbers of contacts and asking them to do things for you. The point of social media networking is to learn from others (none of this is a  big surprise there) but then also to be willing to teach others and ask for help when needed. It’s a quid pro quo situation and for candidates – this means that you are stronger because of your network.

You know – like the Verizon(R)  guy. When a company hires you now, they have additional factors to take into consideration. How well networked are you? If you have a business problem to solve can you reach to your network to help solve that problem quickly? If the company has a need for particular expertise, might you have some contact in your network that could solve that need? Does your network see you as valuable and do they ask for your insight on important issues?

Building these types of relationships takes time and it’s very important. Start engaging with your network NOW! Not because you have to, but because you understand that your network makes you smarter, faster, and better.

Social media is very much the same  – especially for small businesses. It is a necessary ingredient in the marketing mix, but too much too fast can make or break your business.

I have been reading a lot of Jay Baer’s Convince and Convert posts. The following two come to mind:

How to Integrate Social Media Into Your Marketing

Social Media Makes Everything Marketing

In addition, I’ve been reading a lot of IttyBiz posts. Specifically:

How to stop being an information product slut and start creating the business you want

101+1 Small Business Marketing Questions For People Who Don’t Speak Marketing

It all makes me think that striking the match to ignite the flame in the first place might be the hardest step. Walking at a slow and steady pace while keeping a keen eye on your environment is the second hardest thing to do. And the final step is having enough courage to decide if your second matchstick should be cardboard, or perhaps wood this time.

Going for the propane stick lighter? Probably not a good idea.

The perceived innovation quotient’s fundamental starting place is in the definition of “quotient.” Used in the context of my thought as, “the magnitude of a specified characteristic or quality.” (www.m-w.com)

Breaking it down – I mean that some people get extra credit in the innovation department if the way they present something is perceived as innovative. Regardless of the value of core content or technology. This works both ways. Unbelievably cool technology or content could suffer as a result of the perceived innovation quotient if their presentation seems old school or suffers from bugs/glitches. So many sales demos go awry because of the perceived innovation quotient.

So there you have it. Do you suffer from the perceived innovation quotient in your business?

Re: Kaon Interactive – if you haven’t checked them out, you should. Using their technology relieves you of having to worry about negative perceived innovation quotient. It highlights your business story, solutions, and products and crosses many technology mediums. Their technology is cool and they’re expanding it daily.

Social media forces definition — and a very public definition, at that. I have, admittedly, struggled with how I define myself in the Twitter bio paragraph, and how much is “a little about myself” in the Facebook profile box. It is hard to define ones self in succinct words. There is so much “to” you that it seems nearly impossible to summarize in so few characters.

I challenge you to do it anyway! Don’t hide behind anything, and just put it all out there for other to see. Who are you?

You will change it 20 times before you get it the way you want it. And just when you perfect it, something in your life will change and you will change your definition. Sometimes, it is even good to include an attribute you wish defined you, and then set to achieving that definition.

Defining yourself will give you a sense of power and a sense that you know who you are or who you want to be. This is just one aspect of social media that I have found very helpful. If you have, for your own reasons, decided not to define yourself in your social media channels, then I would encourage you to take on the challenge! Go for it, and see where it takes you.