Using social media to land your dream job seems like a simple task. There are so many ways to connect with companies and employers online that you’re bound to find work no matter what…right? Unfortunately, as I’m sure most of you know, this just isn’t the case. Though social media channels can be a helpful tool to aid your job search, the actual pursuit can take some skill. Follow these few simple social media tips and you’ll find work in no time!
Networking
An obvious strength of social media is the ease of networking. Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn all offer ways to identify and connect with employers, hiring managers, and organizations. Follow relevant industries on Twitter, “like” your dream company’s Facebook status, or invite a potential employer to connect on LinkedIn. Taking a simple first step will let others know you’re interested in their company or expertise. But basic interest isn’t enough – take your connection one step further and ask questions, make comments, and discuss current issues in your industry. Experts in your field will appreciate that you’re interested and might even offer to personally share their story with you. But be sure you’re simply asking questions. It’s okay to let people know that you’re looking to find work, but don’t blatantly ask for a job. Be bold in your connections, but show others that you’re interested in learning as much as you can about an area and aren’t just begging for a job.
Remain Professional
Like it or not, your social media channels are being seen. How you choose to present yourself on your networks says a lot about who you are. This doesn’t mean that you have to stop joking with friends via Twitter or sharing fun photos on Facebook, but it does mean that you need to be aware and careful about what you’re sharing. Check your Facebook settings – make sure the details of your profile, your photos, or your personal status updates remain private. Also remember to include job history on as many sites as possible. Ensure your Twitter profile describes you in relation to your professional self and career field. And keep your LinkedIn profile entirely professional – there’s no fooling around there.
Be Intentionally Active
It’s not enough to create all the right social media channels and then leave your pages to collect dust. To become a contender in the job market, you’re going to have to be active on your accounts. Express interest in others’ knowledge, ask questions, share content relevant to your industry, and look for chats that talk about your field. Search keywords and hashtags that connect to your career area. Post, comment, like, share, retweet, and mention – every single connection will prove that you care. Being consistently active and intentional in your posting and sharing shows companies that you’re diligent and genuinely care about the online community you’re building.
Be Bold
So, you’ve established your professional social media channels, started to network with all the right people, and you’re doing a great job sharing relevant content and ideas. You’re almost ready to land a job. But now you have to set yourself apart. You can be doing all the right things, but if no one recognizes who you are, you’re going nowhere. The best way to set you apart is to show some leadership. Start to answer others’ questions. Share cutting edge content. Be the first to ask a probing question. Prove that you’re so invested and so interested that you’re the one other job seekers are going to in order to get the best information. If you’re already using social media in your job search, you’re a step ahead of the game! By employing these tactics, you’ll bring yourself one step closer to making a valuable connection and landing a great job. Photo credit
