Kinsa Group Blog

Are you new to the world of social networking?  Looking for fresh ways to enhance your career prospects?  If so, use these quick tips to turn a social networking profile into a powerful career-building tool.

Find the right site for your career interests.  Begin by browsing the different “networks” provided by major sites like LinkedIn and Facebook.  Click through each network’s subfields to determine which sites have areas that match your needs and interests.

Build your profile carefully.  When creating a profile for career purposes, make sure that the information you post is accurate and appropriate.  Start by reviewing other profiles, then mirror the style and content of the best ones.

Choose an appropriate profile picture.  Your picture makes a critical first impression on a recruiter.  Be sure it’s a positive one.  Only post pictures that are “neutral” (i.e., not sexy, costume-like, or potentially alienating) and appropriate for business.  If you already have a profile picture, review it with a critical eye to ensure it prepresents you in a professional manner.

Maintain distinct identities.  If you use sites for both personal and professional purposes, separate your virtual lives by establishing dedicated social networking pages.  Direct all co-workers and business contacts to your professional page and ask them to “friend” you there.

Manage your privacy settings.  Take advantage of the technology sites like Facebook offer to limit what potential employers can learn about you.  Like other features, privacy options are continually updated – revisit them periodically to ensure your settings keep details about your religion, political beliefs and relationships private.  As a rule of thumb, assume that everything you post is public, except what you explicitly designate otherwise.

Post content, links and news.  Post timely content that highlights your professional area of expertise.  By including relevant links on your profile, you: demonstrate your concern about developments in your industry; position yourself as an informed expert; prove your commitment to improving yourself as a professional.

Garner recommendations.  As your online professional network grows, seek opportunities to obtain and post recommendations from superiors, co-workers, subordinates and satisfied clients.  Their third-party perspective gives readers a more objective view of you as a professional.

Strengthen ties to colleagues by posting referrals for them.  Nothing will endear you to someone more than helping him in his career.

Complement your social networking job search activities.  The Kinsa Group, a nationwide recruiter of food and beverage industry professionals, provides the perfect complement to your online networking activities.  Because we work directly with leading industry employers, we provide you with access to a multitude of rewarding professional opportunities that never make it to job boards or other online channels.  Register online today.

You probably know that Facebook is a great tool for keeping in touch with friends.  But did you know it’s also a great business tool?  Used properly, this social networking sight can help you market your products, connect with current and potential customers, and enhance your business image.

 
If you want to use FB as part of your marketing/media strategy, but are unsure just how to get started, you’ll appreciate this quick article I found onWebWorkerDaily.com about using Facebook to enhance your business.

Looking for other ways to enhance your business?

Remember, Kinsa Group provides recruiting and assessment services to help you find the experienced food and beverage industry professionals your organization needs.  Please visit our website to find out what we can do for you.

Just as you’d prepare a list of questions to interview a job applicant, you should also take the time to interview a potential recruitment firm.  When selecting a partner, the American Staffing Association recommends that you consider several factors.  The following list will help you choose the search firm for your needs:

1. Reliability.  Is the company well-established with a good reputation in the industries they serve?
2. Recruiting.  Is the recruiting program aggressive?  What kind of database does the firm maintain?
3. Testing.  What are the company’s testing and evaluation requirements?
4. Specialization.  Does the firm specialize in recruiting the types of talent your organization needs?
5. Professional Staff.  How experienced are the company’s staff members?
6. Knowledge of Your Needs.  When you talk with the staff, do you feel confident that they truly understand your requirements?
7. Prompt Service.  How quickly can they fill your needs?
8. Quality Control.  What type of quality control procedures are in place?  Does the search firm check back after your opening has been filled?
9. Flexibility.  Do they provide a range of recruitment service options to meet your search needs?
10. Guarantees.  Does the company offer any type of guarantee?  What happens if you are dissatisfied?

Now it’s our turn to ask you a question:  What is the most important factor you consider when selecting a recruitment firm?  You may leave your comment below, or contact us via e-mail.  The more we at Kinsa know about your needs, the better equipped we’ll be to meet them.