By now we know that it's possible to lose your job via Twitter and Facebook Status, so I thought I'd share my suggestions on how you might actually get a job by using Facebook Status. 1. Let People Know What You Want This is a simple but crucial step towards securing employment: State your desire! Don't be afraid to let your friends and colleagues know what you're looking for. It might sound crazy, but if you feel comfortable letting your network know you just ate a delicious ham sandwich, there's no reason to feel awkward about posting an employment goal. Things to remember: * Avoid general updates that air on the negative or desperate side * Try to be as specific as possible Here's an example of what NOT to post: "I can't find a job ... this sucks, no one is hiring!" It's highly unlikely that anyone is going to "like" this update or feel motivated to respond with anything useful. Here's an example of a useful status update: "I have been looking for a management position in Portland, Oregon. If you have any friends or contacts in the area who might be able to offer leads or suggestions, I would definitely appreciate any tips." In this status update example above, I included two bits of crucial information: 1) What the person wants (a management position in a specific area) 2) A clear request for assistance Facebook gives the illusion that we can read each others thoughts. Your friends may know that you like ham sandwiches, but they may not know that you are still struggling to find work. Give them the opportunity to assist you by providing clear, specific information. In life, vague requests are rarely answered. IMPORTANT: Avoid suddenly changing your tone every time you post something job related. If your usual status updates throughout the week are on the whimsical side, feel free to keep your job inquiries casual as well. Facebook is a social space and your tone should remain authentic to you -- updates that sound like you're rattling off your resume won't go over well. 2. Pick The Collective Brain Which are the top local networking events for my industry? Which job boards and Twitter lists yield the best/appealing job listings? Has anyone recently attended an industry conference that they enjoyed? Who else is currently looking for work? These are just some examples of useful questions that you could be asking your network. Cultivate conversations in status response threads and find ways to support your friend's job searches -- exchange resources. If you and your friends can help each other find a restaurant, decide on a movie or work on each others farms, why not give your friends the opportunity to help you in your job search? 3. Spread The Facebook Love Your friends have started responding with links to potential job opportunities, sharing their cover letter tips and revealing the best bars to network at. Great! Now's your chance to return the favor: A) Look For News Feed Requests Is anyone posting a status update asking for help with something that you are knowledgeable about? RESPOND. Go the extra mile to be helpful. It will quickly become apparent if all of your updates are just "gimme gimme." Keep the positive vibes flowing and find ways to create some Facebook karma. You don't need to obsessively check the news feed; a general scan 1 - 3 times per day should be enough to keep your finger on the pulse of what's going on. B) Hook It Up! Do you have some extra Beta invites to a "must have" site? Did you come across a fabulous online-only special on BestBuy.com? Post the link! You'll be surprised how appreciative people can be -- and their replies give you a reason to follow up with them in a separate (PRIVATE) Facebook message. Keep the lines of communication open. C) Encourage Your Friends In Their Job Search More than likely, you aren't the only one who is looking. If you come across positions that aren't a good fit for you but remind you of someone in your network, post it! The same goes for conferences, job fairs or industry relevant news articles and videos. Your job search feedback loop shouldn't only be about you. The more you support others with their goals and show an interest, the better the chances are that they will return the favor. IMPORTANT: Tread carefully on the freebies line. It's one thing to share useful links and invites, it's another to obsessively comment on all of your friend's updates and feed all their FarmVille Animals multiple times a day. People can tell if your "gifts" have an agenda. Make it a goal to try to help or inspire a few of your friends each week, with no mental/emotional strings attached. ____________________ Time Magazine's piece from earlier this summer, "Using Twitter and Facebook to Find a Job," aptly noted that for all our technology, the best way to land a job is still by having someone who already works at a company mention your name. For all you know, one of your Facebook friends may be friends with your future boss. In conclusion, social media is what you make it. Twitter went from answering the initially benign question of "what are you doing?" to being a repository for everything from press releases to hybridized storytelling to political subversion. Your Facebook Status update is a reflection of who you are, your relationship to the world and your inner monologue. Why not make it another tool in your arsenal of job hunting methods?