A recent report in USA Today showed that almost a third of college grads are using Linkedin this year to find a job (up from just 5%  last year). But how can college grads make social media actually work for them in the job search? I recently spoke about the topic on CNN, and here are a few tips:

• Be bold. Grow your network before you need to use it. On Linkedin, for example, they recommend you build at least 50 contacts because that’s when you start to see 2nd and 3rd degree connections. For college students, you might start with your friends, sorority/fraternity connections, colleagues from internships, or even professors you admire. What about Facebook? Say you want to work in magazines. Well, yes, it’s okay to “friend” big name editors you admire (the same goes for execs at companies you’re really passionate about). On a daily basis I see status updates from Facebook friends announcing actual jobs with actual email addresses of the person who is hiring. This is how you can get the inside scoop on real opportunities out there– before they hit the job boards.
• Complete your profile. Linkedin is the new resume– and you wouldn’t send out a half-completed resume for a job application, right?! According to Linkedin, you’re 12 times more likely to be viewed for opportunities if you have more than one position listed in your profile– so make sure to add all those past internships and summer jobs. Also, you’re 7 times more likely to be viewed if you have a picture on your Linkedin profile. Even on the new Facebook profile, you want to make sure your relevant professional background and school shows up at the top of your page. And of course, if you’re on the job hunt you need to recheck your privacy settings and scrub your profile of anything that would turn off potential employers (including watching those tweets and status updates)!
• Start “stalking” your favorite companies: I’m kidding a little bit (!)– but one of the best ways to utilize social media is to research the companies you want to work for. Use Linkedin to look up hiring managers or executives; research relevant levels of experience for employees; or you can even follow companies to see who’s recently joined or departed the company. Check out what’s happening on their Facebook and Twitter pages and discussion groups. This gives you great insight into the hot topics and relevant industry trends that will set you apart in the interview process.
• Close the loop OFFLINE: Social media isn’t enough. Yes, it’s easier to FIND people (and for them to find you) through social media– but what then? You actually need to take the step to ask for an informational phone call, meeting, or lunch. Or, ask them if they’d take two minutes to review your resume. Or, maybe you meet a recruiter at a college job fair;  THEN follow up through interaction on Linkedin or Facebook. It’s the in-person connection and cultivating the relationship offline that really opens the doors to new opportunities.

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Alas, our journey has come to an end­­. That’s right; this will be my final blog about the job hunt that has been anything but glamorous.

When I first started in October, I was working full-time at a dry cleaner. I wasn’t any closer to landing a magazine job than I was a year earlier when I graduated from college. I didn’t know what my next step should be. As cheesy as this sounds, I was a lost little puppy and this blog rescued me.

So, what do you do when you don’t know what to do?

Go back to the basics. I was so busy with studies and enjoying my final semester in Austin, that I didn’t take advantage of the free career services offered. As I wrote in my first post, I didn’t think I would have this much trouble finding a job – any job, anywhere. I was not prepared. So, I went back and refocused my resume. I learned how to use social media to my advantage (I got a response tweet from Glamour Editor-In-Chief Cindi Leivi, and totally geeked out over it, to which I replied with a gentle nudge: “That’s just the joys of being a magazine editor! I cannot wait to get my first job and start working my way up the masthead!” I had one referrer to my website from Twitter that day. Coincidence?) And, in my opinion, most importantly, I got to talk to some amazing people, including some I had previously lost contact, along the way who gave me personable advise.

But, I also had a rocky patch in the middle. I guess it’s a good sign that I completely broke down after my failed attempt to move to New York City. It shows that I’m passionate about my future career. But, I broke through. I refocused and decided to take an unpaid internship without worrying how I’m going to finance anything, let alone a move. I never questioned if this was the career I wanted, and I believe that gave me determination.

Even though I haven’t secured a full-time paying gig yet, I’m at a really good place right now. I go to a wonderful internship three days a week where I’ve had some amazing opportunities. And, I’ve decided what my next step will be – a six-week publishing course. (I’ve been obsessively trying to put together the perfect application.) I’m very excited and hopeful that this will work out. A few months ago, hope wasn’t in my vocabulary. My parting words are very simple, “Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.” I promise that I will continue on my journey and not slouch into a routine like I did the year prior. And as a thank you, when I’m finally settled into a new job, for all your love, support and advice, cupcakes are on me!

–Samantha Hyde

Taking a break from sending tweets and updating my LinkedIn profile, I organized a panel of social media experts to participate in Harvard Business School’s 20^th Annual Dynamic Women in Business Conference last Saturday.  Entitled “Beyond the Buzz,” the panel focused on how students and professionals can use social media most effectively to promote their personal and professional brands.  Each offered some targeted advice:

Take control:

Whether you like it or not, you have a social media presence, so it is in your best interest to control it.  At a minimum, make sure your Facebook, LinkedIn, and other online profiles are professional and flattering because they will be viewed (and judged) by potential employers and colleagues.  This is even more important if you are pursuing a career in a media-related field.  When a friend recently interviewed at a news publication, her interviewer looked her up and began following her on twitter in the middle of the interview.  Participating in social media is not an option; it is a necessity if you are in the business of networking – which you are by definition if attending business school.

Be patient:

By promoting “The Happiness Project” on her popular blog, author Gretchen Rubin garnered massive pre-sale orders, contributing to top spots on best-seller lists around the world.  Rubin credits her success to methodically building her brand presence online through consistent six-day-a-week blogging, frequent tweets, and monthly videos.  She stresses that you need to build a relationship and trust with your audience so that when you ask them for help – such as buying your book – they do it.  The same is true for a job search; gradually building your online network now will give you the credibility you need later.

Be real:

Katherine Tasheff, who has held a variety of digital media positions and currently works in book publishing, argues that the importance of a trusting relationship in social media makes authenticity even more important.  Tasheff claims that the easiest way to sabotage your brand is to be disingenuous; your audience is smart and can “smell” dishonesty from miles away.  To avoid this, Katherine recommends not differentiating between your “real” and online self and committing to being “as authentic using social media as in real life.” Furthermore, she notes, since the average Internet user in the U.S. spends over thirteen hours per week online, perpetuating a “fake” self online is a significant – and poor – investment.

Have a strong voice:

Social media is inherently different from other forms of traditional marketing: people come looking for you.  For this reason, it is particularly important to have a strong voice.  Alexandra Samuel started her business in 2005 after readers of her blog reached out to her, struck by her then novel conviction that companies must have web 2.0 websites to survive; readers asked her to implement social media strategies for their businesses.  Given the breadth of social media, a strong voice is needed if you want to stand out.  At the same time, do not pull a Kenneth Cole – the designer currently is embroiled in a PR nightmare following his recent tweet: “Millions are in uproar in #Cairo. Rumor is they heard our new spring collection is now available online at http://bit.ly/KCairo.”

Never stop learning and experimenting:

To conclude the panel, each panelist gave some practical real-world tips for social media success. Here are my favorites:

• End each blog entry with a question
• Ensure tweets are at least 10 characters under the limit so others can retweet
• Remember that a strong voice attracts, so don’t be discouraged when it also repels
• Research what’s out there so you don’t end up launching an idea or site that’s redundant
• Never miss an opportunity to broaden your network – online or off

What is your number one piece of advice for using social media?

–Alexandra Bochicchio

I am 24. At times, I feel like I’ve accomplished a lot in my short career. Then, I’ll read or see people younger than me a lot farther down their career path. I know you’re not suppose to compare, but I can’t help it. I’ve had a completely different journey, especially post-college, than I could have ever imagined. I’ve dreamt of a magazine job for so long, I can’t imagine another type of job. So I was a little surprised when I read that one should have SIX different type of jobs before 30 to create a well-rounded applicant, and that excludes temporary and freelance positions. I wondered how I compared to this list:

1. “A Service Job”

Aside from journalism gigs, all my jobs have fallen under this category. My first job my freshman year of college was being a student assistant in the College of Communication. Ever since, I’ve been “assisting” others. Through working in a service job, I’m suppose to learn how to deal with people when they are not at their best – Check!

2. “A Job in Which You’re Forced to Clean”

I worked at a dry cleaners for more than a year. And, yes, many people don’t care about the condition of clothes when they come into the plant, only when they left. I had a man yell at me because the shirt he brought in that was soaked in spilt coffee didn’t completely come out. I absolutely believe this job made me more respectful of working together as a community.

I also had a boss who threw away his lunch (yogurt and banana peel) in his trash and made me throw it out. We reused trash bags, so many times I had to reach down and grab the sticky yogurt top. Now, I am always conscience of what (and how) I throw away. – Check!

3. “Childcare”

I’m more of  dog person. So, I probably won’t be babysitting. But, when I was working at the cleaners, I oversaw four high school seniors. Trust me, this counts.  – Check!

4. “A Job Working for your Parents”

I’m suppose to learn “separating the personal from the professional” when my parents get me a job. Honestly, I don’t like this one. My family is in transportation, and I have absolutely zero interest in the field. – Fail

5. “Physical Labor”

I worked in retail at a home store. I was on the store maintenance crew and every other day, we would arrive at 5 a.m. to restock the shelves. We may have had air conditioning, but it was definitely intense. It was a four-hour cardio class. We ran around the store, hurrying to have everything set by 9 a.m. It might not be traditional physical labor, but the pain I felt after my first day taught me this lesson. – Check!

6. “A Job Totally Unrelated to Your Career Goals”

Wait, you mean my current situation? – Check!

I think a seventh category can be added to the list, “Work for free.” In my current internship, I’ve learned how much I love what I do. I’m working for free, not sure what my step will be, and loving every moment.

It is interesting to look at past jobs and reflect on my experiences. Although I might have a different “ideal” path, I’m happy to learn that I did learn something from all my previous employers, if not for future employment, at least for personal reasons. And, who knows, by the time I find a full-time staff position, I may cycle through all six categories and then some!

–Samantha Hyde