There is no question that jobs in social media are on the upswing. According to the LA Times, the field is in high demand with hundreds of new postings going up each month, which is a great thing. These new postings mean that companies are taking social seriously and looking to staff their efforts accordingly.

According to this nifty infographic, the top five markets for landing a gig in social media are New York City, San Jose, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Boston. So if you are in one of those areas and think a social media job is for you – you may be in luck.

Before you go gaga applying for every job on the job board, take a step back and answer the following questions honestly.

• Why do I want to work in social media?
• What makes me qualified for this job?

If you answered because I Tweet, use Facebook, I can pin things better than anyone, I blog therefore I am or I am Awesome! You will probably need to some polishing up because  companies aren’t just looking for power-users of social networks, they’re looking for someone who can tie social to the bottom line with passion.

If you’re new to the space, still in school or looking for a career change and social is where you want to go, take some time to educate yourself on the space with these five books that will get you thinking beyond the Tweet to make you more appealing to employers. Click on the links to see my video book review.

The Social Media Strategist (2011) – I wish this book from Christopher Barger was around when I started in the space four years ago. Goes over the basics and offers real-world experiences and case studies on some of the more successful companies out there. It also takes a look at dealing with a social media crisis.

Social Media ROI (2011) – Oliver Blanchard’s book is one that I often thumb through to get inspiration or work on some planning. It’s a great reference book that looks at setting up your program and measuring what matters.

Trust Agents (2009) – This was the first book on social media that I read when thrust into the space from Chris Brogan and Julien Smith. While it is an older book, it looks at a mindset that social media folks should have when working for a company.

Social Media Metrics (2010) – If you want to work in the social space, you are going to need to know about measurement. Jim Sterne offers some good metrics to get started with. If you’re well versed on measurement, this might be one to leave off your reading list.

Welcome to the Fifth Estate (2011) – Geoff Livingston’s book takes a look at media creation and best practices in getting your message out there in a way that stands out and doesn’t suck.

If you’d like to pick up a copy of any of these books for less, click here (Amazon affiliate link).

Hopefully this will help and best of luck in your job hunt.

If you’re a social media pro already, what books would you add to the list?

Image – Matt Hamm

There is no question that jobs in social media are on the upswing. According to the LA Times, the field is in high demand with hundreds of new postings going up each month, which is a great thing. These new postings mean that companies are taking social seriously and looking to staff their efforts accordingly.

According to this nifty infographic, the top five markets for landing a gig in social media are New York City, San Jose, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Boston. So if you are in one of those areas and think a social media job is for you – you may be in luck.

Before you go gaga applying for every job on the job board, take a step back and answer the following questions honestly.

• Why do I want to work in social media?
• What makes me qualified for this job?

If you answered because I Tweet, use Facebook, I can pin things better than anyone, I blog therefore I am or I am Awesome! You will probably need to some polishing up because  companies aren’t just looking for power-users of social networks, they’re looking for someone who can tie social to the bottom line with passion.

If you’re new to the space, still in school or looking for a career change and social is where you want to go, take some time to educate yourself on the space with these five books that will get you thinking beyond the Tweet to make you more appealing to employers. Click on the links to see my video book review.

The Social Media Strategist (2011) – I wish this book from Christopher Barger was around when I started in the space four years ago. Goes over the basics and offers real-world experiences and case studies on some of the more successful companies out there. It also takes a look at dealing with a social media crisis.

Social Media ROI (2011) – Oliver Blanchard’s book is one that I often thumb through to get inspiration or work on some planning. It’s a great reference book that looks at setting up your program and measuring what matters.

Trust Agents (2009) – This was the first book on social media that I read when thrust into the space from Chris Brogan and Julien Smith. While it is an older book, it looks at a mindset that social media folks should have when working for a company.

Social Media Metrics (2010) – If you want to work in the social space, you are going to need to know about measurement. Jim Sterne offers some good metrics to get started with. If you’re well versed on measurement, this might be one to leave off your reading list.

Welcome to the Fifth Estate (2011) – Geoff Livingston’s book takes a look at media creation and best practices in getting your message out there in a way that stands out and doesn’t suck.

If you’d like to pick up a copy of any of these books for less, click here (Amazon affiliate link).

Hopefully this will help and best of luck in your job hunt.

If you’re a social media pro already, what books would you add to the list?

Image – Matt Hamm

There is no question that jobs in social media are on the upswing. According to the LA Times, the field is in high demand with hundreds of new postings going up each month, which is a great thing. These new postings mean that companies are taking social seriously and looking to staff their efforts accordingly.

According to this nifty infographic, the top five markets for landing a gig in social media are New York City, San Jose, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Boston. So if you are in one of those areas and think a social media job is for you – you may be in luck.

Before you go gaga applying for every job on the job board, take a step back and answer the following questions honestly.

• Why do I want to work in social media?
• What makes me qualified for this job?

If you answered because I Tweet, use Facebook, I can pin things better than anyone, I blog therefore I am or I am Awesome! You will probably need to some polishing up because  companies aren’t just looking for power-users of social networks, they’re looking for someone who can tie social to the bottom line with passion.

If you’re new to the space, still in school or looking for a career change and social is where you want to go, take some time to educate yourself on the space with these five books that will get you thinking beyond the Tweet to make you more appealing to employers. Click on the links to see my video book review.

The Social Media Strategist (2011) – I wish this book from Christopher Barger was around when I started in the space four years ago. Goes over the basics and offers real-world experiences and case studies on some of the more successful companies out there. It also takes a look at dealing with a social media crisis.

Social Media ROI (2011) – Oliver Blanchard’s book is one that I often thumb through to get inspiration or work on some planning. It’s a great reference book that looks at setting up your program and measuring what matters.

Trust Agents (2009) – This was the first book on social media that I read when thrust into the space from Chris Brogan and Julien Smith. While it is an older book, it looks at a mindset that social media folks should have when working for a company.

Social Media Metrics (2010) – If you want to work in the social space, you are going to need to know about measurement. Jim Sterne offers some good metrics to get started with. If you’re well versed on measurement, this might be one to leave off your reading list.

Welcome to the Fifth Estate (2011) – Geoff Livingston’s book takes a look at media creation and best practices in getting your message out there in a way that stands out and doesn’t suck.

If you’d like to pick up a copy of any of these books for less, click here (Amazon affiliate link).

Hopefully this will help and best of luck in your job hunt.

If you’re a social media pro already, what books would you add to the list?

Image – Matt Hamm

There is no question that jobs in social media are on the upswing. According to the LA Times, the field is in high demand with hundreds of new postings going up each month, which is a great thing. These new postings mean that companies are taking social seriously and looking to staff their efforts accordingly.

According to this nifty infographic, the top five markets for landing a gig in social media are New York City, San Jose, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Boston. So if you are in one of those areas and think a social media job is for you – you may be in luck.

Before you go gaga applying for every job on the job board, take a step back and answer the following questions honestly.

• Why do I want to work in social media?
• What makes me qualified for this job?

If you answered because I Tweet, use Facebook, I can pin things better than anyone, I blog therefore I am or I am Awesome! You will probably need to some polishing up because  companies aren’t just looking for power-users of social networks, they’re looking for someone who can tie social to the bottom line with passion.

If you’re new to the space, still in school or looking for a career change and social is where you want to go, take some time to educate yourself on the space with these five books that will get you thinking beyond the Tweet to make you more appealing to employers. Click on the links to see my video book review.

The Social Media Strategist (2011) – I wish this book from Christopher Barger was around when I started in the space four years ago. Goes over the basics and offers real-world experiences and case studies on some of the more successful companies out there. It also takes a look at dealing with a social media crisis.

Social Media ROI (2011) – Oliver Blanchard’s book is one that I often thumb through to get inspiration or work on some planning. It’s a great reference book that looks at setting up your program and measuring what matters.

Trust Agents (2009) – This was the first book on social media that I read when thrust into the space from Chris Brogan and Julien Smith. While it is an older book, it looks at a mindset that social media folks should have when working for a company.

Social Media Metrics (2010) – If you want to work in the social space, you are going to need to know about measurement. Jim Sterne offers some good metrics to get started with. If you’re well versed on measurement, this might be one to leave off your reading list.

Welcome to the Fifth Estate (2011) – Geoff Livingston’s book takes a look at media creation and best practices in getting your message out there in a way that stands out and doesn’t suck.

If you’d like to pick up a copy of any of these books for less, click here (Amazon affiliate link).

Hopefully this will help and best of luck in your job hunt.

If you’re a social media pro already, what books would you add to the list?

Image – Matt Hamm