Looking for a job in tech or marketing? Are you very active on social media but not sure about how to use them in your advantage to get a job? When thinking about using social media to find a job, most people think of LinkedIn only and, although the professional network is a great starting point, there is much more you can do on social to take the next step in your career.
You can not only search for interesting positions but also actively use your social media profiles to connect with recruiters and companies. Specially if you are looking for a tech or marketing related job, following these 6 steps will give you the guidance you need:
Set Up Strong Profiles
Take the time to create strong profiles on all the networking sites where you have an account; don’t limit your efforts to Linkedin. When searching for your name on Google, recruiters will find your different social media profiles. It is important to keep a strong online presence among all social media networks.
Use serious profile photos instead of group shots or a picture of your pet. You don’t need to use the same photo on every social media profile if you don’t want to. Each platform is used for different purposes and recruiters know that. For instance, your Facebook picture may be more informal that the one you use on LinkedIn but make sure that in all of them your face is clearly visible and appropriate for everyone to see.
Use the short bio to show your interests and skills. Twitter is especially good for this. You can also add a link to your blog, if you have one, or to your portfolio.
Start Networking
Use social media channels to grow your connections and professional network. You can start with people you already know by importing your address book and email contacts. Use LinkedIn and Twitter to search for old colleagues and employees by name or look for specific companies that you want to be in contact with.
You can also join groups to discover new companies and people in the same industry. Take part in the discussions and read what other professionals have to say about topics related to your profession. By doing this your will keep yourself informed which will help you form your own opinions.
When relevant, send direct messages to new connections on LinkedIn or Twitter to help you build relationships with them and let them know you are interested in getting a new job.
Get Recommended on LinkedIn
Recommendations are key. Both recruiters and managers will be interested in your previous employer opinion about you and your approach towards work. Ask them to write a recommendation on LinkedIn explaining why you are a great asset to their company. You can also ask old colleagues and teachers to recommend you on LinkedIn, the more positive references you have, the better.
Let Others Know You Are Looking
Make it clear for those who visit your social media profiles that you are looking for a job and what type of job you are looking for. Your friends and contacts may be aware of a suitable position for you.
On twitter you can also include relevant hashtags on your tweets to be more visible and get access to conversations that may lead to job opportunities.
Actively Seek Out Openings with Hashtags
Many companies use hashtags on Twitter to promote their job openings. Some hashtags you can follow to find out about interesting opportunities are: #hiring #job #jobsearch #jobhunt #jobopening #jobposting #jobangels #HR #hiring #nowhiring #career #employment #tweetmyjobs #opportunity #recruiting #RTjobs #jobtips #jobhuntchat #careerchat #graduatejobs #needajob #hirefriday
You can also combine these with your industry specific hashtags. For instance, if you are in marketing you can use #marketingjobs or location references like #UKjobs.
Some companies even use their own hashtags to promote their jobs such as General Electric’s #GEjobs. Check if the companies you are interested in are using their own hashtags.
Research Employers and Hiring Managers Before Applying
Finally, you can use social media channels to do your research before applying to a job. You can investigate about the company and its employers and hiring managers. The more you know about them, the better prepared you will be for a face-to-face interview.
If you want to know more about the role of social media in the job search, you can take a look a this complete guide by Open Colleges on how to get your next job using social media.
