Social Media
& Job Hunting
Using social media can really help you
find a job. You can use it to connect with people and learn about companies you
might want to work for. There are many smart ways to use social media when
you're looking for a job.
Why Use Social Media in Your Job
Search?
Even if you don't use social media
much, it's smart to have a profile or two when you're job hunting. It shows
employers you're comfortable with technology. But there are more good things
about using social media to find a job:
Helps you build your personal brand.
Lets
you network and connect in ways you can’t in person.
Makes
you “more visible” to hiring managers and recruiters that mine
social media for prospective candidates—even when you aren’t actively searching
for a job.
Gives
you a chance to interact with companies you want to work for.
If you're still not sure about using
social media for your job search, think about this: in 2017, most recruiters
used LinkedIn (87%) and Facebook (55%) to find candidates. So if you're not on
social media, you could be missing out on job chances!
How to Create Social Media Profiles
for Your Job Search:
Just having a LinkedIn profile isn't
enough to land you a job. You need to be active on social media and maintain a
positive and professional image. Take a look at your existing social media
accounts and clean up anything that might not look good to employers. You can
also create separate profiles that focus on your professional side. Remember to
post things that relate to your career or industry, and always think about how
employers might see your online presence. The more professional and positive
you appear online, the better your chances of impressing potential employers.
Many employers check social media when
they're considering hiring someone. So, after you've cleaned up your profiles
or made new ones, search for your name on Google. Look for any mistakes or bad
things that might show up. Try to fix them before employers see them. This way,
when they search for you, they'll find good, professional stuff.
How to Use Social Media in Your Job
Search:
Now that your profiles are looking
good, it's time to use them to find a job. But remember, you need to use social
media in a smart and professional way to make a good impression. Here are some
tips to help you use social media for job hunting like a pro.
After setting up your professional
social media profiles, it's your chance to show off your skills and
accomplishments! Got a new certification? Put it on your LinkedIn profile and
maybe share it on Twitter! Finished a project related to your career? Share
pictures of it on Instagram. Use social media to find a job, connect with
companies, and showcase the skills, education, and experience that recruiters
and hiring managers want to see.
It's okay to talk
about your achievements, but you shouldn't announce to everyone that you're
looking for a job, especially if you're still working for your current
employer. Make sure your privacy settings are set up correctly so your current
employer doesn't find out you're job hunting. Also, think about who you're
connected with on social media, especially your coworkers.
Build connections:
In the past, keeping up with many
different connections could be a challenging task, but social networking sites
have greatly simplified the process. And while it's easier
than ever to organize your contacts, you should also use these
resources to reach out and forge new connections.
Whenever you make a new connection,
it's important to follow up and stay in touch. Even if you only
have the opportunity to meet someone briefly in person, connecting with this
person on a social media site allows you to continue the conversation and develop
a relationship. Try sending a quick message to some of your contacts every
few weeks to establish a regular pattern of communication.
Work on Your Website:
Before hiring someone, most managers check them out online. If it fits your job, having a website can be like a portfolio for you. You can show your work, recommendations, awards, and achievements all in one place. If a personal website seems like too much, you can add work examples to your LinkedIn profile instead. It's not as fancy, but it works.
Networking:
Using social media to connect with people is a great way to stay in touch with those who can help you, boost others in your network, and make meaningful connections online. But remember, networking isn't just about collecting as many connections as possible. When you network on social media, make sure you also support others. Like and share their posts, congratulate them on their achievements, and offer help when you can. Networking is about giving as well as receiving, so don't just do it to find a job.
Join Groups:
Another way to grow your social media
network is by joining groups. For instance, if you want to find a remote job,
join Facebook or LinkedIn groups that are all about remote job opportunities,
like FlexJobs' LinkedIn group.
Social Media Job Search Mistakes to Avoid:
There are social media mistakes you want to avoid making during
your job search (and any time!).
- Your social media profiles shouldn't be exactly like your resume, but they shouldn't be totally different either. For instance, if your LinkedIn says you're really good at accounting, but your posts are all about design, it might make a recruiter wonder if you're being truthful. It's okay to use different words on different profiles, but make sure they match up and you're being honest.
- Don't send out too many requests for recommendations on LinkedIn, like those generic emails you might receive. While it's good to have a few recommendations that show how great you are at your job, you don't need tons of them to look good online. If recommendations come naturally, that's great! But don't ask for them from everyone you know.
- Social media is useful for finding a job, not just for sharing fun stuff like cat memes and vacation photos. Using it wisely could help you land your next job.
https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/4-ways-to-use-social-media-in-a-job-search/
https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/jobsearchandnetworking/job-hunt-with-social-media/1/
By: Taras Ivanuts (career peer)
