In a competitive job market, you need any advantage you can get over the competition. While sometimes this is a perfect resume or cover letter, more often than not it is knowing the right people. Finding a job in today’s world is all about who you know, and in order to “know people” you have to network. With the abundance of social media platforms, the ability to network is right at your fingertips. Creating professional accounts on sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter allows you to connect and communicate with thousands of other professionals that can potentially help you advance your career. Below we’ll discuss how to successfully incorporate social media into your job search to put you on the fast track to finding a new job.
Clean up Existing Profiles.
Before you begin to reach out to people via social networking, make sure that you do a read through of all your social media profiles. Clean up your profiles and get rid of anything that you wouldn’t want an employer to see. Delete inappropriate photos and make sure your profiles portray you in a positive light. If your status updates and tweets make you seem negative, you aren’t doing yourself any favors. You want your updates to send messages of productivity and optimism, rather than showing that you’re stressed and unmotivated. Or, if you don’t want to use your personal accounts, set everything to private and create new accounts strictly for your job search.
Target Your Search.
Posting a Facebook status that says, “I want a job. Who can help me?” isn’t going to get you very far. Blasting a generic message will bring you about as much luck as shouting it in the stands at a Braves game. You may get one or two “likes” from friends, but the message isn’t directed to anyone in particular. Instead, make a list of people with experience, contacts, or knowledge of your industry. Once you have compiled this list, you can seek help from those people.
Start Tweeting.
Although LinkedIn is usually the first thing that comes to mind when talking about online networking, Twitter is actually the easiest platform to make new connections. The great thing about Twitter is that it is socially acceptable to strike up a conversation with just about anyone. It’s one of few places where talking to a complete stranger doesn’t seem weird. Twitter users rarely have their profiles set to private, and most users will welcome your tweets. Start by following the people on the list you created. If they say something you find valuable respond to or favorite it. Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself and ask if a professional in your industry has any tips for you. You never know how far a simple tweet may get you.
Become a Follower.
On LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter follow and like companies you admire and would like to work for. More and more companies are doing recruiting via social media. They post information about their presence at career fairs and share information about open positions. Don’t be afraid to reply to their posts and ask for more information regarding job openings. It’s a great way to become connected with recruiters and start a relationship that can potentially lead to an interview or a job. If you’ve already developed a relationship with the hiring manager, you’ll be a few steps ahead of the candidates that haven’t.
Be Relevant.
If you want recruiters to notice you via social media, you have to contribute to the conversation. Start with sharing content from relevant influencers in your industry. If a company you like posts a great article about a project they’re currently working on or industry news, share it with your networks. This shows your connections that you’re staying informed and shows the poster that you care about what their company is doing. You want potential employers to see that you’ll add value to the organization by being an advocate for their brand. The more you post relevant content, the more relevant you’ll become.
Not sure who to follow in your industry? Start by following companies you’d like to work for, as well as leading staffing agencies in your area. The recruiters at BOS Staffing will keep you up to date on the latest job openings in the Athens, GA and surrounding areas when you follow @BOS_Staffing. You’ll also be kept up to date with the latest tips and tricks for your job search. Have additional questions? Contact our team of experienced recruiters today!
