Communications of the ACM
Rise in Social Media Jobs Means Opportunity
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Heading into 2011, one of the brightest trends in the technology jobs market is the sharp increase in the number of social media jobs. According to Indeed.com, three times as many jobs with "social media" in the title were indexed in November 2010, compared to the year-earlier period. Moreover, jobs with "social media" in the description have also tripled over the last year, reaching more than 14,000 in November compared with about 4,300 during the same month in 2009. Within social media, titles and responsibilities run the gamut, from community managers to digital strategists who help with the company's overall social media campaign to developers, the people who build the campaigns, Facebook applications, and mobile apps.
Even job seekers who aren't looking for social media positions sometimes end up in those jobs because there are more openings than in other industries. The pay for social media positions varies widely. Recent college graduates tend to make between $30,000 and $40,000 annually, while those with a few years of experience can earn between $50,000 and $75,000, depending on their location and employer. Since social media is a young industry, there aren't many professionals with years of experience, giving new opportunities to young grads. In addition to technical skills, companies want a smart communicator — a professional they can trust to be the voice of their brand. Marketing experience is also a plus, and in some cases, a must. Already social media has changed the face of public relations, with communications and marketing specialists increasingly using online tools to spread the word about their clients' services.
There are several ways to get ahead of fellow job seekers when it comes to landing these positions. Build a quality following on popular social networking sites. Not only does it demonstrate your ability to use the tools, a company may also see your following as a base for their own network. Include social media skills on your resume. Don't make the mistake of thinking everyone knows how to use Twitter strategically or create a video that goes viral on YouTube. Showcase your skills beyond building an online following. Creativity plays a big role in social media, so look for outside-the-box ways to prove your value. Take on social media responsibilities at your current job or volunteer to gain experience, even if it's not part of your job description.
From U.S. News & World Report
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