Social Media Opportunities

According to a Ragan Communications article, 42 percent of U.S. companies are in social media infancy. 


The biggest problem for the companies? They create accounts on popular social networking websites without a strategy for how they are going to use and maintain the accounts. 


The study, conducted by InSites Consulting, studied 400 marketers total; 200 from Britain and 200 from the U.S. 


Here are some conclusions from the study: 
• 42 percent of American companies are still in their infancy when integrating social media in their company. 
• 16 percent of American companies have fully integrated the new media.
• 66 percent of the companies have a Facebook page, 51 percent a Twitter account, and 44 percent a company LinkedIn page
• Companies from the financial and health industry are lagging behind, while tech and telecommunications and the media sector are ahead
• The main barrier to change is the unclear financial return. This survey shows there is a positive correlation between the extent of social media integration and the financial results. 


This could potentially benefit new communicators in the job market. 


If you can make yourself a valuable consultant when it comes to strategizing social media efforts, you may be able to pick your next job opportunity. 


So start researching!  

Social Media and the Job Hunt

As I enter my last year of college, I have inevitably started gearing up for the job hunt. Reading various articles on what and what not to do, I have begun to sense a common theme among what employers are at.

A recent article on Mashable offers 5 tips for managing your social media when looking for a job. The tips include keeping it clean, showing some personality, using various platforms, and connecting with the companies that you want to work for.

I think new job candidates often undervalue the use of social media. Following the company you want to work for and connecting before an interview can make you stand out as well as determine if the company is in fact the type of company you want to work for.

Exploring new social media platforms is also a good tip. Don't limit yourself to Facebook and Twitter. LinkedIn, Tumblr and other blog sites are a great way to communicate within an industry.

I feel like it is said a lot, but keeping it clean is very important! Profanity does not get your point across more effectively. Does everyone really need to see the pictures from your friends bachelorette party or you doing shots at the club? Probably not.

While these tips are not anything new, I feel they have been repeated because people are still not getting the hint. Definitely worth taking into consideration whether you are looking for a job or want to keep your current one.