12 Job Search Internet Marketing Ideas For December (The 12th Month.. 12 for 12)

There are 29 days left to job search in 2009…..What’s your Internet Marketing, Cyber Job Search plan?

I’ve been to a lot of networking events recently and I keep hearing phrases like “December is a down time for job search” or “a blackout” or “lots of things are on hold”. This concerns me.

Yes, December is a busy month with the holidays but there is still a lot of hiring going on now as a well as a lot of planned hiring for January 2010. Instead of taking a job search vacation, why not use this time to get a leg up on some of the competition by enhancing your online presence and boosting your job search effectiveness.

To make it super easy for you, I’ve compiled this list of 12 for 12…12 job search internet marketing ideas for the 12th month of the year- December.  (Most are free or very low cost.)

1) Refresh the language in your LinkedIn Profile: Read at least 3 job descriptions for your target jobs and ensure your profile includes common phrases or keywords

2) Set up a Twitter Profile: Even if you don’t plan to Tweet, setting up a complete Twitter profile, using your first & last name as the user name, will help with your Googleability (SEO). Most profiles show up in the top half of page 1.

3) Set up a free Google Profile: Follow this link http://www.google.com/profiles Copy over your LinkedIn profile language and photo to your Google Profile. Once active, it will display on the bottom of page 1 of Google, whenever your name is searched.

4) Reserve your personal domain name: For only $10-13 per year you can reserve www.yourname.com. Once reserved, you can create a branded email address, ex. Fred@FredSmith.com and use your domain name on a personal blog or website.

5) Set up a personal website: You can do this for free by using the WordPress.com (not WordPress.org) blogging software. Lots of options, colors etc.. all free.

6) Add comments to 3 industry blog posts: As you find posts that resonate with you, leave a detailed comment including your first and last name in the comment text. These are indexed by search engines.

7) Update the language in your Monster.com posted resume. Most recruiters look for the “freshest” resumes first. Get yours back to the top of the list, by making a few tweaks and resetting the date.

Offer to write a guest post for an industry or professional blog: This is much easier than managing your own blog. And, many bloggers will welcome the fresh content.

9) Send “touch base” notes to at least 3 LinkedIn connections: You want them to think of you and send you job leads, as appropriate. Be sure to reciprocate.

10) Participate in at least three LinkedIn group discussions: Either start you own discussion or add some impressive comments to an active discussion.

11) Answer at least 2 LinkedIn questions. If you do a great job, your answer may be chosen as “best”, which gets displayed on your LinkedIn profile.

12)  Go old school.. Read a Job Search Internet Marketing Book. (Yes, the paper kind) I recommend “How To Find A Job on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Myspace and other Social Networks”, By Brad and Debra Schepp. For LinkedIn beginners only: I’m On LinkedIn, Now What? By Jason Alba

These 12 tips will help you create a unique, compelling “online brand” that will impress recruiters & hiring managers and differentiate you from the competition PLUS increase your online visibility. Specifically, they will help you be found, higher in search results, when your name is entered into popular search engines (SEO) and help you be found when Recruiters or Hiring Managers search for candidates online that look like you with your mix of skills, abilities and qualifications.

So… finish your shopping, have a glass of eggnog then, amp up your internet marketing for the job search.

Copyright December 2009, Marci Reynolds, All Rights Reserved

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