Is Your Status Update Still 'Looking for Work?'

Lately I've been reading a lot of status updates on business and social networking sites that say things like, "Project Manager professional looking for work" or "Looking for work in a tough economy" or "Just received my degree in accounting — looking for work." While I understand that these job seekers are trying to advertise their candidacy online, I don't recommend broadcasting this specific message in your status updates. Here's why:

1. Blasting this message to your entire network makes you look desperate. You might as well rent a billboard to promote your job search ... Yes, I know there are stories about people landing a job this way, but these tactics get old fast. (And by the way, the guy who landed a job by wearing a sandwich board saying he was looking for work is "so 2008.")
2. Posting this message makes people in your network uncomfortable. Imagine agreeing to meet someone for coffee and before the coffee is even cool enough to drink you say, "I'm looking for work." It's awkward. It places an unrealistic expectation on your contacts to come up with a solution for you. The same thing happens online when you announce that you are looking for work.
3. Sending this message leaves you little wiggle room for a follow-up message. Think about it. If you are still in a job search next week, what will your status update be? "Still looking for work" isn't going to cut it.

Status updates on business and social-networking platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn are a way for you to build rapport with a community and deepen the relationship with your contacts. Choose messages that showcase your expertise, share valuable information, give kudos to others or broadcast an exciting endeavor you are working on (even if it is volunteer work). Here are some examples of alternative status updates you might want to adapt for your situation:

For a fundraising executive:

• “Volunteering at the American Cancer Society walkathon on Sunday; hope to raise more than $2M.”

For an HR professional: 

• “Attending a seminar on compensation plans for 2009 and beyond at (share the link)”

For an advertising professional: 

• “My colleague, John Smith, just landed a major account with a leading luxury goods company. Way to go, John!”

For a CIO: 

• ”Reading an interesting article on new technologies in health care at (share the link)”

For a financial analyst: 

• “Boning up on study materials for the CFA Level II exam … looks like it's going to be a long night!” 

Create status updates that invite questions and further conversation, not ones that make your network run for cover. Remember, online networking, like face-to-face networking, is a process. Whenever possible, give before you get and you will be surprised how quickly you get something back in return.