Another week has passed, and another group of people have started using new internet technology to connect with others and build business.  Hopefully, that group of people includes some lawyers.  Welcome to part 17 of our blog series on social media for attorneys.  This week we will focus on the other side of recruiting, where you are the one trying to get a job.

Let’s face it, in any market, you always want to be prepared to move on to another job.  Whether you are changing your area of practice, moving up within a company, or moving to another firm for any reason, you will be in a position where you want a job.  And social networks have increased the amount of information that you can put out about yourself, and increased the ability that you have to reach out to potential employers.

By using social media, as we have said before, you are creating an online brand.  You are continuously adding to this image of yourself for all to see in the online world.  Well, when it comes time to get a job, having a solid image can do you a lot of good.

You can use the networks to continue to post your accomplishments, even using a Facebook page as your own personal online resume.  Tweet about cases you have worked on, successes that you have had, and new clients that you have taken on.  Update your status across all of your networks explaining that you are looking for a new position and what you are looking for.  Write a blog about what you have accomplished and what you are hoping to accomplish in a new position.

The great thing about the integration of the social web with the rest of the “old internet” is that all of these profiles are searchable.  Potential employers can find you, and they will.  Why not make it easier to find out about all the good things that you have to offer by putting them out there over time.  Don’t wait until it is too late and then rush to get it all out there.  Every week you should be adding stuff to your various profiles and pages on the web.

In a sense, by paying attention to how you might appear to potential employers at all times, you become your own recruiter.  You have a continuous stream of positive things to say about yourself, and the more that the information is on the web so that other people can see it, the more powerfully you can present yourself when it comes time to.

Soon we will come to a time when everyone is using the web to recruit and hire top talent, so it is important to get yourself in the game as soon as possible.

Past Installments of this Series:
Part One – Intro to Social Media for Attorneys
Part Two – Signing up for the Networks
Part Three – Using Blogs as an Information Source
Part Four – Start Blogging Today
Part Five – Introduction to Twitter
Part Six – Introduction to LinkedIn
Part Seven – Networks as a Communication Tool
Part Eight – Submit Yourself to Blog Catalogs
Part Nine – Put Your PR Department to Work
Part Ten – Lend us your Comments
Part Eleven – Intro to Viral Marketing
Part Twelve – Answer Questions 2.0
Part Thirteen – The Big Picture
Part Fourteen – Interactions on Blogs
Part Fifteen – Interactions on Networks
Part Sixteen – Recruiting on the Networks