No matter what career or job you are pursuing, you can benefit from learning to use and becoming proficient in social media tools such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Expertise in social media will be one more tool to help you secure a challenging, rewarding, and good paying job.

Job recruiters are using the web to help locate the best applicant for available positions with their firm. One survey (JobVite’s 2009) suggests that 80% of businesses are using or plan to use social media in the job hiring process. Employers primarily use LinkedIn to research potential employees. Some employers are researching the applicant’s Facebook page before, during, or after the interview.

You know that you should research the company before you go for an interview. Right? You can get a head start learning about the company by following the company on Twitter. Twitter may also give you an early notice of potential job openings.

You should create a positive online presence or “digital footprint.” You can inexpensively buy your domain name from GoDaddy.com and start a free blog with WordPress. Post your resume to your web site.

Create a blog on your webpage. Focus on an area of expertise. If you don’t have an area of expertise, start now reading and developing one. Blogging will help you develop your writing and critical thinking skills as you systematically post to your blog. As your research your area of interest, you begin to position yourself as an expert in that area.

You can link from your blog to your LinkedIn page where you should highlight your education, experience, and skills. Once you establish your online presence, you can respond to job listings and include your Twitter address, blog link, Facebook page, and LinkedIn address.

Begin now to build your LinkedIn network. If you meet someone at a conference, school event, or church, immediately add the person to your LinkedIn contacts. Resumes and profiles on LinkedIn should be kept up-to-date. The LinkedIn profile may even replace the traditional resume.

If you are good with a video, you might create a video resume and post to YouTube. A link to the video could be included at the bottom of your resume.

Transformation is happening in the way businesses look for qualified applicants. Many jobs nowadays are global and do not require employees to physically be in any particular location. By creating a strong online presence, you will open up your job search to greater global opportunities.

Learn tactics for exploiting social media to create a strong online presence and create what is known as “top of mind positioning.” This means that when a need arises for someone to fill a position, employers will often call the person that first comes to mind.

Step up your job search. Use social media tools to position yourself for a challenging, fulfilling job.