Facebook is the second most popular website, just after Google. There are over 800 million active users out of which 300 million daily spend at least twenty minutes per day on Facebook. It is very popular and users tend to spend a lot of time on it as compared to other social networking sites. Therefore, the U.S. Department of Labor expects that Facebook may soon become a strong tool for job search.

Finding a job through social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin is a great idea. Online college students prefer to use Facebook for job search as it is a convenient way to search for a job from the comfort of your home. However, it’s not as easy as it sounds. Online students should consider a few things while using social networking sites for job search.

Here are 5 smart tips for recent graduates and online students to use Facebook strategically to get hired.

1. Improve Your Online Reputation

Prospective employers and HR managers will view your profile and can see all your status updates, photos, videos and groups. Therefore, if you want to make a good impression on recruiters, remove any inappropriate pictures or content that can potentially hinder your prospects of getting hired. Make sure that your current profile is such that it makes a positive impression on potential employers.

2. Network and Interact with Companies

Students who have successfully completed their online degree programs and are looking for employment opportunities at a specific company should join their page on Facebook. This will give them a great opportunity to interact with the company. All corporations want candidates who are passionate about their organizations and grads can show their passion by being active on those Facebook pages. Students can also use Facebook to professionally contact recruiters, HR managers, and employers.

3. Participate and Get Active in Facebook Groups

After completing your online education, you can join professional groups on Facebook which discuss and post news about particular topics, or industries that you are interested in. By joining such professional groups you can actively participate in discussions, post links and other resources to the wall, moderate or manage sections of the group and so on. Participating in professional groups will create a positive impression on the minds of recruiters and prospective employers. Facebook groups can be used to network with and get noticed by professional corporations and could lead to you being considered for future job opportunities.

4. Tap into your Network to Find a Job

Facebook provides inexhaustible resources and connections for job seekers. College students and recent grads are advised to approach networking on Facebook as a way to get more information about an industry by messaging and engaging with employees and industry leaders. Building a strong personal network on Facebook platform will help you in your job search.

5. Build Strong Online Relations

It is important to build a strong online relation with relevant industry players who can advise you about your job search and will remember you for future career opportunities. Using Face book as an online platform for job hunting will show prospective employers and recruiters that you have interest and knowledge in your chosen field and are eager to improve your skills.

The social network can be a strong medium for finding employment. Did Facebook help you get hired? Please share your experience with us.

Are you looking for a career that is personally satisfying and financially rewarding at the same time? Do you know how to get the career you want? Pursuing your dream job is not easy especially if you don’t have the right degree and experience. In these tough economic times where many people are competing for the same jobs – only the most qualified wins!

Pursuing a Career with an Online Degree

The key to finding the career you really want, and one that will give you the most job satisfaction is to do a self-assessment of your skills, education, interests and personality. By doing this assessment, you will learn more about who you are and what you want to do. This way you can find a career that is a perfect match for you and one that you will enjoy doing for a long time. Once you have decided which field is best suited for you, you should search for an accredited online college with the degree program of your choice.

Job Searching Tips to Get the Career You Want

Doing a job search can be very intimidating and frustrating, but it is part of the job hunting process. The only way that you will find a career you want is by going through the process. Don’t give up. Keep looking until you get the job you want. Don’t waste too much time on careers that you know are not a good fit for you. Invest your time wisely by looking for career opportunities that you will enjoy doing. Finding a job is easy, but getting a job in the field you want to make a career in can be challenging.

Here are some extra tips for career success:

• Determine your professional goals
• Develop a plan of action
• Be persistent
• Stay positive
• Update your skills by using online degree programs
• Network with family, friends and networking groups
• Don’t give up

Do you have what it takes to get the career you want?

Employers prefer to hire candidates who have a degree that is compatible with the job they are applying for. So, before you go job hunting make sure you have what it takes to get the career you want. If you realize that the job you want requires further qualifications that you don’t have, opt for online degrees in the field of your choice.

How did you get to the career of your choice? Have you faced any hardships or it was smooth sailing for you? We would love to hear your success story. Use the comments section to share your opinions on the topic.

Don’t be surprised if you get asked for an online interview when you apply for a job. Online job interviews are common today, especially if the job that you are applying for is out-of-state or if the head of the department is in another country. Follow the 8 steps given below to ace your online job interview.

Steps to Ace an Online Job Interview

Think of an online job interview as any other interview, regardless of whether you are applying for an online job, or are seeking a career with an online degree. It is really not that different from a traditional interview. The only difference is that instead of doing the interview face-to-face, you will be doing it over the internet. A virtual interview is the equivalent of a face-to-face interview. Therefore the same techniques apply to both.

1. Prepare For A Virtual Job Interview

An online job interview is the most important part of the application process. This is where you can never be over prepared. Prepare the most asked questions for the interview just as you would for a face-to-face interview.

2. Learn About The Software Requirements

Find out the software that the company would use to conduct the online interview so that there are no problems during the interview. Make sure your microphone, web cams connections are in place.

3. Learn About The Online Job Interviewing Process

If you still feel intimidated, join an online forum and get to know about how online interviews are conducted. Learn as much as you can about doing online job interviews and the process involved.

4. Get Ready For The Online Job Interview

If something is not clear, make sure you call or email the company to get clarification before the interview.

5. Make Sure You Know The Exact Time Of The Online Interview

Also, if there is a time difference, make sure you know the exact time the online job interview will take place.

6. Find A Quiet Place For The Online Job Interview

Find a quiet place that is free from distractions and noise. This way you are not distracted and can concentrate on the interviewer. Background noise or children walking in and out of the room can ruin your chances of getting the job. So look for a quiet place in your home to do the interview.

7. Ask Job-Related Questions

Create a list of questions to ask the interviewer about the company. This will show hiring managers, recruiters, or potential employers that you are interested in working for the company.

8. Maintain A Professional Attitude During An Online Job Interview

Always maintain a professional attitude while answering questions, but do show the interviewer your personality so they can determine if you’re a good fit for the position and the company.

These are the 8 steps to acing your online job interview. I would love to hear about your online job interview experience.

Military veterans that are making the transition to civilian life will take some time getting used to of it. Making the transition from military service to a civilian career may not be easy at first but there is help out there, and it is not as tough as you might think. By pursuing a career that closely matches up to your military training and experience, you’ll be able to make your job search easier. Take a look at 8 most popular civilian careers for military veterans that you can pursue to help make the transition a little easier.

Update Resume to Match Civilian Jobs

Before pursuing any of the civilian jobs for veterans, make sure you give your resume a face-lift. Update your resume with information pertaining to the specific job only. Be sure to only include relevant work experience, training, and skills on your resume that will match what the employer is looking for. By updating your resume to fit the job in question, you can significantly increase your chances of getting the civilian job you want.

Boost Your Military Experience – Get Your Degree Online

To give your resume additional value and to make it stand out from the competition, there are online degree programs or online courses that you can take to give your military experience and training the boost it deserves. Pursuing a civilian job with an online degree or obtaining additional skills and training can also increase your chances of landing a job.

Learn Interviewing Techniques to Help Land a Civilian Job for Veterans

Being in the military for several years and returning to civilian life can be challenging at first. If this is your first civilian job interview or you’ve been gone for some time, learn about interviewing techniques and questions that are asked during interviews to help you prepare for your first civilian interview.

Top Jobs for Veterans: Starting a New Career for Returning Veterans

Any job that is in civilian world has an equivalent to military jobs. For example, if you were a manager in the military, you can apply for a managerial position as a civilian, or if you were a nurse in the military, you can apply for a military nursing position and so on. However, the 8 most popular civilian careers for military veterans are:

1. Police Officer
2. Intelligence Analyst
3. Network Systems Manager
4. Parole Officer
5. Service Engineer
6. Operations Manager
7. Senior Supervisor/ Manager
8. Private Security Personnel

Returning Veterans and Civilian Job Search Strategy

Now that you have updated your resume, learn interviewing techniques, and know the 8 most popular civilian careers for military veterans, you can begin your search by looking online for job vacancies. Don’t forget to let your family, friends and neighbors know that you are looking to get back in the workforce as a civilian. There are also numerous employment agencies that cater to veterans looking to transition from military service to the civilian workforce.

Online teaching jobs are not for everyone. If you don’t have what it takes to be an online instructor you could fail miserably at teaching in an online environment. Your online teaching success lies with the success of your students. Teaching students in an online environment can be very challenging because it is very different from face-to-face interaction. Maybe this is why I don’t want to be an online teacher.

Learning the Ropes of Online Teaching

However, for some people, online teaching careers can be a natural and wonderful experience. With the right training and knowledge, I’m sure that teaching online can be just as rewarding as teaching the traditional way. But before committing to an online teaching career, it is helpful if you learn about some of what’s involved with online teaching jobs.

Positives and Negatives of Online Teaching Jobs

• Become familiar with the online classroom environment before taking on the role of teaching online. Not everyone is comfortable teaching in an online setting, so make sure this is something that you can handle and are comfortable with before you commit to teaching an online classroom or pursue a teaching career with an online degree.
• As an online instructor, you will be helping many students from all walks of life. If you like to help others, online teaching opportunities are for delivering all types of lessons to busy working moms and dads, the elderly, people in remote locations, the disabled and many others that have restricted access to traditional learning or prefer this method of learning for whatever reasons.
• The freedom to work from home and the flexibility that online teaching jobs offer are great benefits to pursuing a teaching career online or even an online degree in education.
• Give each student the individualized care and attention they deserve. If you neglect to pay attention to students’ needs, you will have a high drop-out rate which can affect your online teaching experience.
• If you begin an online class without giving students a course syllabus, an introduction to the online program or are not prepared, these things can also affect your online teaching experience. Not being prepared is not the best way to begin a new online class.
• Students that are not disciplined and are easily distracted will easily get bored with online learning. Make sure you keep the online pace moving, keep it fun and interactive. Try to avoid too much text work. Include video clips, animations and interesting anecdotes in your lessons to keep students attention and also to make your online teaching experience a positive one. Also make sure students know what is expected of them in an online degree program or online course.

Online teaching jobs involve a lot of work and can be challenging at times. However, it can also be a rewarding and lucrative career if you don’t mind teaching in an online setting. The main reason why I don’t want to be an online teacher is that I prefer face-to-face interaction with my students. How about you?

If you have just earned your online degree and you are pleased with what have accomplished, then you must be preparing for the job hunt. The questions arise in this situation are; whether an online degree prepared you for the job marketand will the skills you worked hard to earn be worth anything in the competitive job market of today?

The Value of Online Graduates among Employers

With employers, what stands out most with online graduates is their life experience. Usually these graduates have real world work experience, which give them the advantage over someone graduating from a traditional college. Most online graduates are older and they have held jobs while they were earning their online degree. This has value in the current job market.

Issues withTraditional Campus Degree Holders

Traditional campus degree holders usually have the problem of commuting. Moreover, they might not be able to go to any foreign university due to the high cost of relocating; and this will limit their options of pursuing higher education. Another common issue with traditional degree holders is that they are not able to successfully balance their personal and professional life and end up in quitting either their job or studies.Online graduates on the other hand are usually seasoned and seeking to increase their skills or switch gears to a profession that they have thoroughly researched through their degrees.

Online Graduates are prepared for the Job Market

In the current job market, many online graduates already have full-time jobs. They are just taking additional schooling to increase their knowledge base or to compete for advancement.

The Experience Advantage of Online Graduates

The employment experience of online graduates can assists them when planning and initiating work projects in the workplace. They are prepared to make critical decisions and assist their new employer immediately. In most of the cases, online graduates are ready to make critical decisions and assist their new employer because of their professional experience. They have online degree, plus working experience, which is a clear advantage over traditional degree holders.

The Worthlessness of Online Degrees is a False Alarm

So friends as you can gather from the discussion above, online degrees actually leave you at an advantage. Ask the graduate of an accredited online degree program,and you will find out the truth.