Using Social Media to Land Your Next Job
Posted March 23rd, 2015
Social media has evolved from being a minor job search tool that was good for some casual networking, to an essential component that is just as important as your resume or cover letter. Simply put, if you’re not using social media to aid your job search, you are missing out on a lot of opportunities, and possibly opening yourself up to unexpected risks. We’ve put together a long list of social media tips to help you land your next job.
Clean Things Up
Remove all profanity, inappropriate pictures, rants, and contentious information from profiles that can be publicly viewed.
Focus Your Efforts
Instead of having profiles on every social media site, focus your efforts on three or four. LinkedIn is basically mandatory, and Facebook and Twitter are both important.
Present a Professional Image
You should maintain a professional and consistent image across all your profiles. And make sure you always use your real name on your accounts.
Create Pathways
Make sure that all your profiles link to each other, and if you have a professional website or portfolio, use it to send visitors toward your profiles.
Stay Active
Stay consistent about updating your profiles with interesting, relevant information that keeps you active in feeds and highlights your professional relevance.
Secure Connections
There is no reason not to be connected with all your friends, family, and professional acquaintances. If you want to reach out to someone you don’t know, send them a personalized introduction instead of just a generic request.
Keep Your Search Private
If you are currently employed but looking for a new job, be discreet about in on social media or risk complicating things at work.
Use SEO
Optimizing your profiles with headlines, keywords, and other basic SEO techniques can make it easier for potential employers to find you.
Become a Thought Leader
All social media is useful for joining the conversation surrounding your profession, but Twitter is a particularly good tool. Follow other thought leaders, and take part in Twitter chats.
Don’t be Self Centered
Use social media to share articles, pics, and projects from your colleagues and others in your profession. Don’t just push your own work.
Follow Jobs Accounts
Many companies now use Twitter to publicize their most recent hiring announcements. Be sure to follow along.
Follow Ideal Employers
Follow the companies you most want to work for, and employees with jobs you’re interested in. That gives you exclusive insights into the company that can aid your job search.
Use Moderation
It’s great to be enthusiastic on social media, but it can become overbearing and seem shallow if you are too active on your networks or too focused on specific people or companies.
For more tips and resources to help you improve your job search, contact the team at Bayside Solutions.
