Companies post job openings on Facebook, Twitter and other social media websites

CINCINNATI - Social networking websites like Facebook and Twitter aren't just for socializing with friends anymore.

They're now being used as a new job search tool.

There are numerous companies that are posting job openings on Twitter and Facebook.

Searching for a job on these social media websites isn't necessarily meant to replace the traditional methods, but as one Butler County man found, it certainly has its perks.

Ben McCall had been out of work for about a month, when he says he realized the traditional job search methods just weren't working.

McCall started to rethink his job search strategy.

He started to use his Twitter account, something he had set up a year before, but had never really bothered to use.

"One of the things that I was able to learn through Twitter and find out about was a lot of information that I didn't necessarily have access too. It was a lot of on demand information around conferences, around different things that are happening within the industry. I came across a lot of great other blogs and writers that I've been able to connect with and actually collaborate with," McCall said.

The human resources specialist even started his own website called ReThinkHR.org where he blogged about his insights on the latest trends in human resources.

McCall even made videos where he offered advice to other job seekers like him.

"You can be of two mindsets, regardless. You can be positive or negative," he stated on one video blog.

McCall said the blog gave him a tool to stay current on trends in human resources.

"The fact that I was talking about issues within human resources, within training and development actually made it more of a strong suit. I was staying abreast of the topics that were happening and more results oriented," McCall explained.

It was another popular networking website, LinkedIn, that helped him land a job 10 months after he started his search.

He saw a position posted for a leadership performance consultant at Standard Register in Dayton, Ohio.

"I applied for it. Did not hear a response and actually within the day had contacted one of my connections through LinkedIn and asked 'Hey, only if you feel comfortable, I saw that you are connected to this person. I don't know if you necessarily know them well or deeply, but if you feel comfortable, would you mind mentioning me to them and just letting them know that I applied,'" said McCall.

His LinkedIn connection then contacted their connection at Standard Register, who was also on the social networking website.

"I got a call the next day and then I had basically interviews with a number of people within a month from the time I applied to the time I got my offer. It's what happened. So, it was a simple connection," McCall explained.

McCall's successful job search has lead to a new career of sorts.

He's now often requested to speak at job search events like the one sponsored by Job Search Focus Group and WCPO-TV.

The job search event will be held this Saturday, November 20 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Scarlet Oaks at 3254 East Kemper Road.

If you feel intimidated by signing up for Facebook or Twitter as part of your job search, consider this, it's free, so it won't cost you anything to try it out.