Technology is a great new tool in the job hunting process. Our social networks put us in touch with so many more people – those who are hiring and may be interested in our unique combination of talents, strengths, skills and passions. Getting the word out is key. Use your social networks to get noticed.

Facebook:
Create a “get hired” Facebook page (not your social site – a true “qualifications-focused and get hired” site). Include:
o Core talents, interests and values as part of your bio.
o Pictures of you in the workplace, in the community and copies of letters of recommendation and commendations.
o Scan your talent-based resume as an image and add it to your photo album.

Twitter:
Use Twitter to share key aspects of your talents and aptitudes with your Twitter audience.
o Create a Twitter account for your job seeking. Name it appropriately.
o Search for and add hiring managers, HR professionals, entrepreneurs, roles that match roles you are looking for (nurses, health care, engineer, retail associate, accountant), associations, managers, etc.
o Send out a daily talent comment. Example: seeking accounting role; detail-focused; strong performer; value-focused.
o Develop a weekly series of 4 or 5 tweets that show off your talents and your ability to add value.

For more comments on each and for other social media ideas click here.

In the age of technology, use your connections wisely to let the world know your talents, interests and the jobs that are a good fit for you. Many people get hired this way.

But most of us don’t play to our unique talents, passions and strengths. Instead we work hard to look and act like others; we blend.

Be aware in an economy where companies need more done with less, managers are not looking for employees who blend – who do average; they want employees who stand out. Stand out employees find ways to create great value for their company by using what they are great at. Stand out employees actively participate – they get noticed for their effort, energy and performance.

To develop your “Stand Out,” try this exercise:

1. List the things you are great at. Don’t be humble; be honest. What are your talents and strengths – these are your greatest ways to stand out.
2. Next, list what you are passionate about. What gets you excited, fired up and engaged? Passion gives you the courage and energy to stand out.
3. Now, look at your company. What can you do that plays to what you are good at, passionate about, and adds value to your company? Share these ideas with your managers.

As author Tom Peters says, “you can’t shrink your way to greatness.” If you blend today, you lose – you are the first one downsized or laid off. So learning how to stand out may be the best way to keep a job.

How will you “stand out” at work and what can it do for your career?

So try this. Identify the things that you love to do – those things that you are passionate about. How can you incorporate some of these in your job? Check with your manager about the other things – the highly engaging things – that you can do to boost your energy level and interest in your job. Don’t just do you job – do a fired up! job. This gets you noticed, valued and remembered.