Ross Wade, assistant director of Career Services for the School of Communications, invited iMedia students to join him as he presented at the Triangle Social Media Club (SMC) meeting to discuss how job seekers can successfully utilize social media in their job search. It was held at iContact, a social media and marketing management company, in Morrisville.

At the SMC Triangle meeting, we iMedia students had the opportunity  to network with social media gurus from the Triangle area and absorb their advice. I found it kind of funny that although I am socially active and have used social networks for a while now, I found myself feverishly writing down notes as the different members handed us some straight-up social media gold.

There are several easy concepts that even the technologically non-savvy can understand. First, because of the overall reach that each platform has, it is a good idea to have accounts with Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

OK, simple enough, but where to go from here? The key to successfully boosting your profile, specifically within Twitter and LinkedIn, is to develop your purpose. What are you trying to say or portray? Find the direction in which you want to take your online presence and then narrow it down.  If you can't automatically think of something, try to think of a service that you feel deserves attention.

Among those who attended the meeting was Lisa Sullivan, digital media marketing director of Fonville Morisey and founder of @TweetDivas, a group of women in the Triangle area who tweet and use social media to build online relationships and communities. She saw a need for a women's group of Triangle tweeters for social good and created one. It eventually led her to the job she has today.

Several members of SMC Triangle discussed the term "thought-leader." To become a thought-leader means you have become a trusted source of knowledge in whichever topic or area you have chosen to focus your content on. It is OK to tweet about your lunch because it shows that you are human. Just don't make your eating habits the only kind of thing you tweet about. Think about what you want to share with the world and make sure it is valid.

Also, do not wait for a job posting. I believe one attendee cited this as "shooting yourself in the foot" and another said, "you've already lost the job." Use social networking to connect with potential employers.

Asking others for something they can't give you turns them off completely and makes them uncomfortable. Instead, ask for an informational meeting or share your knowledge with that person and include your resume for reference.

Let's hypothetically say you got a job through social networking. Your self-branding isn't over yet. Maintenance is key when it comes to self-marketing. I urge you to not let yourselves go, but stay up-to-date. So, go ahead. Put yourself on the line. You need a job, don't you?