5 Ways Social Media Can Help You Find a Job
You're already on social media connecting and having conversations with people, so why not use all this activity to find a job? Many employers look up candidates online when they have a position to fill, so meet them where they are. Not only should you ensure that hiring managers don’t find anything objectionable on your social media profiles, but you should also optimize your accounts to get a leg up in the tough job-hunting race.
Here are five ways to use social media to attract employers. If you need a resume that packs a punch, check out our resume writing services.
1. Google yourself
First things first: Google your name to see what comes up. This way, you’ll know exactly what recruiters will see when they search for you, which is almost a given these days if they're considering you for a position. If the search produces anything portraying you in a negative light, do whatever you can to fix it. For example, if you have unprofessional photos or angry posts, take them down or at least change your privacy settings so that only people on your friends list can see them.
Be warned that Google can take a long time—weeks or even months—to remove dead content from its search results since the algorithms initially assume the content is just temporarily down, so you’ll want to get on this ASAP.
2. Make your LinkedIn profile shine
You know how important it is to connect with people when you're looking for your next job. In some ways, your connections are even more important than your skills, and LinkedIn takes networking to the next level. In fact, it's the most important social media platform to a hiring manager.
Make sure your profile is complete and highlights your work experience, education, and unique skills. Even after you land a job, you should keep your LinkedIn profile updated—you never know what new career opportunities may be lurking around the corner.
You should also look into using the endorsement feature on LinkedIn to include testimonials from people who know you and can speak highly of you and your work. Those positive reviews give you credibility and go a long way with recruiters since they serve as third-party verifications of your skills and credentials. Try writing glowing endorsements for others, and they may pay you back in kind.
If you don’t yet have a LinkedIn profile or want your existing one overhauled, reach out to our expert team.
3. Speak up on popular online forums
The more questions you answer on forums such as Reddit and Quora, the better! Both platforms can help you establish yourself as an expert in your field, and they can also show up in search results. Of course, only chip in if you can provide a clear, well-formulated answer—when you compose your answers, try to imagine what a hiring manager would think of the content.
Make it a habit to visit Reddit and Quora regularly to find out what people are asking. When you see questions related to your profession, answer them thoughtfully. By helping someone get what they need, you’re also helping position yourself as the go-to person in your industry—hiring managers will be pleased to see a display of not only your knowledge but also your selfless desire to help others.
4. Provide value on Twitter and Facebook
Another way to position yourself as an expert in your field is to share valuable information on Twitter and Facebook. Join conversations about your industry and contribute meaningfully. Keep up with what's trending so you can participate in discussions on the latest developments.
On Twitter, look for posts with important news and information related to your industry and retweet them. That shows you're in the loop about what's happening in your field. A good way to find relevant conversations is to search for hashtags related to your industry. Also, find thought leaders in your field and network with them—you never know where that might lead. More connections are never a bad thing.
The same goes for Facebook. Join groups related to your profession and see where you can add value. Not only will you be helping others in your field, but you’ll also tap a great way to connect with colleagues and network. You may even learn about a job opening or two along the way.
If you’d rather keep your social media profiles focused on your private life, that’s fine (just make sure there isn’t any objectionable content accessible to those outside your friends list). In that case, you could create new profiles for your professional persona. On Facebook, this isn’t always possible, but on Twitter, you can simply change the username in your private profile and use your professional name for your new, work-focused profile.
5. Engage with companies you’re interested in
Just as recruiters can learn more about you by searching online, you can do the same to find information about a job you want. Go to the company's website and browse its social media platforms to learn as much as you can, then use that knowledge when you engage with it.
You're more likely to get a hiring manager’s attention if they see you've done your homework and cared enough to learn about their company. Also, if possible, apply for jobs you’re interested in directly from the corporate website. Hiring managers tend to give more weight to applications submitted through this channel since they suggest a more serious candidate.
Another way to make an impression on a company you're interested in is to support its social media efforts. Comment on its posts, like its content, and share what it has to say. That will get its attention and prompt it to check out your profile and learn more about you. Of course, this depends on the size of the company—a huge multinational corporation is less likely to take notice of your activity on its social media.
Remember that your online presence is an essential part of your personal brand, so make sure it's clean and professional. Provided that you play your cards right, you will boost tremendously your chances of landing a new job. If you need help crafting a resume that will bag you a job you’re pursuing, get in touch with our resume experts!
