Ten Quick Tips on Social Media Job Searching

Last time I wrote, we talked about how valuable social media platforms can be in the job search process. Today, I would like to give you some tips on how to actually employ social media forums in your job search.

1. Don’t neglect your LinkedIn. Many people create a LinkedIn account with the best of intentions, only to forget about it a few weeks later. This is a mistake. Arduous as the task may seem, it is in your best interest to stay abreast of happenings on LinkedIn: update your photo, update your jobs, create more connections. LinkedIn is one of the primary ways job seekers are now getting hired; take advantage of this and join.
2. Follow your favorite companies. If there is a specific industry or company you are particularly invested in working for, follow their social media feeds. This allows you to see what projects they are taking on, what positions are opening up, and what the company culture is like. Additionally, it will keep you updated about trends in your field.
3. Let people know that you’re looking. A great many jobs come from someone knowing someone who knows someone whose company needs someone just like you. Let people on your networks know that you’re looking, maybe even what you’re looking for. Serendipity can be very kind, if you let it.
4. Be Memorable. This is especially important for your LinkedIn profile. When you create your photo, headline, and job history, you want to make sure you stand out. This does not mean something outlandish or crazy; this means creating a profile which emphasizes your strengths and presents evidence of your successes. Create a headline which emphasizes your skills, and demonstrate your experience with confidence!
5. Privacy settings. If the idea of someone rooting through the entirety of your Facebook profile doesn’t sound appealing, make sure you have your profile turned to private. Some of your information may still come up, but this ensures that you won’t have just anyone browsing through your post history.
6. Find company recruiters. If you are interested in a particular company, it is in your interest to find them on LinkedIn. These are the people who will be evaluating your job application; finding their page may help you tailor your resume and cover letter to present yourself more favorably.
7. Give them a way to contact you. On LinkedIn and Twitter, you can add contact information for potential recruiters to reach out to you. If you’re comfortable with it, adding a contact email shows not only confidence, but that you have some social media savvy.
8. Diversify your presence. If you’re looking to cast a wider net, make sure you have a fairly diverse internet presence. Post your resume on LinkedIn, but don’t forget about sites like Indeed, Monster, Glassdoor, and others. There are a plethora of sites which cater to job seekers; make sure you aren’t limiting yourself to just one.
9. Keep updated on current economic conditions. The internet is a great place for you to discern where your skills could be the most valuable. Keep an eye on industry trends; is there a big need for technical writers right now? Is there a dearth of medical assistants? Job trends change all the time, so keep on top of them by watching the news.
10. Put on your Sunday Clothes. I stole this line from “Hello, Dolly,” but it works surprisingly well. Present yourself as a confident, competent, intelligent individual. Put your best foot forward; your social media presence is often the first impression job recruiters will get, so make it count.

If you would like support in finding out how to optimize your career search even further, please consider our career counseling services. Contact us at info@careersolutionsgroup.net. We have helped hundreds of job seekers uncover their passion and make fulfilling career changes.

By: Julia Pillard, Career Solutions Group