As the use of social media continues to increase, more employers than ever before are using social media websites to research potential employees before interviewing or appointing them. Although there are plenty of articles online about what not to do on social media, there are very few that actually detail what you can do increase your chances of success during your job search and specifically how you can use social media. All of the tools that you need are contained within Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn turning them into powerful resources to help you find work, reach out to companies and secure your next job. It just takes a little work and a bit of know-how to succeed.
In a digital age, the internet is almost a virtual CV and social media should be one of the key components in your approach to job search. There are many ways that you can use social media to advance your career including:
#1 Build your personal brand
Whether you are an accomplished professional or just starting out in your career, LinkedIn is one of the best resources that you can use to search for employment. Branding is really important and is a crucial step in the process. Today’s jobs market is incredibly competitive and businesses want to recruit someone special so the best way to do this is to find out what your ideal job title would be and then build your LinkedIn profile around this. Create a compelling LinkedIn headline that includes what you do, what value you can bring to the company, your target market and the potential company you are targeting.
#2 Use Keywords
As outlined above, LinkedIn is perhaps one of the most career orientated social media platforms and job seekers should make the most of the features contained on this site. Each LinkedIn profile is an online CV which allows you to showcase your skills through a clear, succinct and powerful biography. The biography can be written to really differentiate yourself from the other job searchers out there looking for work. Furthermore, when crafting an optimised LinkedIn profile, use specific keywords that are relevant to the industry that you are applying for. As an example, if you were looking for a digital marketing opportunity, sprinkle your bio and LinkedIn profile with related keywords and phrases such as SEO, social media marketing, paid search, organic search and email marketing. Be strategic with your keywords and try to choose ones that a recruiter may search for. Collect several job descriptions and carefully select common keywords and phrases that appear often. Incorporating these keywords into your LinkedIn profile will make it more likely that your profile will appear in search results.
#3 Industry Groups
Across all of the social media platforms, there are thousands of groups, primarily on Facebook and LinkedIn and they relate to many different types of occupation, from engineering through to marketing. Let’s say for example you were looking to secure a digital marketing role. There are many groups on LinkedIn and Facebook around the subject of digital marketing including those on copywriting, SEO, digital marketing and more. Contribute to discussions in these groups by answering questions and providing meaningful advice. This will earn you valuable recognition in your industry as an authority in your subject area. The more your name appears the more credibility you will establish. Don’t be afraid to share what you know because creating and distributing highly targeted content makes it more likely that you will be found by a headhunter or a recruitment team.
#4 Demonstrate Creativity
As a potential candidate for a job vacancy, you must take every opportunity to demonstrate your skills and experience. Showing a potential employer that you have achieved results in the past could be a major factor in landing your dream job. Deploy creative strategies such as developing an interactive resume, formulating a creative portfolio or designing an attractive visual that you can post online. Share what you have created through social media to promote your subject matter expertise and your skills in technology and social media. Demonstrating your creativity will also come in useful if you are asked to complete an assessment such as diagrammatic reasoning tests for example.
#5 Use Twitter
The best and most well prepared candidates will familiarise themselves with the recruitment process for prospective employers, particularly if they have been invited to an assessment day or asked to complete diagrammatic reasoning tests or other aptitude tests. Following the company on Twitter and any executives is an excellent way to find out what their priorities are, how the company operates and the way the business is marketed. You can also use Twitter to find trending topics and use this to your advantage. By keeping up to date with trending topics that relate to your niche, you will be able to add a number of things to your repertoire on topical and current issues and you will have something relevant to talk about during your interview. Platforms such as Twitter can be used to explore whether there are new techniques, strategies or approaches in the industry that the market is talking about. Do different companies hold different perspectives? Having this information at the forefront of your mind during the recruitment and selection process will catapult you to the top of the list and not only secure an interview, but impress recruiters and may just help you to land your dream job in the process.
#6 Updates
Make sure that you keep your social media profiles current. Update them on a monthly basis, particularly on recruitment focused websites such as LinkedIn. Employers will expect that your qualifications and experience reflect your current role, experience and education so don’t pass opportunities by excluding something that could capture their attention. Whether you have completed a training course, started a voluntary placement or achieved an award or personal recognition, your connections and followers should know. It may just be a valuable skill that would qualify you for a new employment opportunity. Also check that your contact information is current as well including your photograph, education, relevant experience, skills and current location.
Securing your dream job is a difficult endeavour, particularly within a highly competitive marketplace. However, social media can be used to build your personal brand, increase opportunities for networking and enhance your chances of success during interview provided that you approach it in the correct way.