Long gone are the days when finding a new job meant only surfing the job listings. Today, it’s all about social media.
You no longer make a first impression on the day of the interview, but online. In fact, social media is so crucial for the job search that 94% of recruiters use or plan to use social media for finding talent. And I’m not only talking about LinkedIn. Facebook and Twitter are other two platforms that both employers, employees, and staffing agencies regularly use.
That’s why you don’t want to skip using social media while job hunting. It’s a great way to attract recruiters’ attention, showcase your skills, and get employed.
Here’s everything you should know.
What are the benefits of using social media in your job search?
Greater visibility.
According to a 2018 CareerBuilder survey, 70% of employers use social media to screen candidates during the hiring process, and 43% of employers use social media to check on current employees. In other words, by staying active on social media platforms, you’ll be more visible to recruiters and staffing agencies. You can even craft a message and post it across the social networks you’re currently looking for a job. Luckily, a recruiter will see it and invite you for an interview.
Easy application.
Many companies on a platform such as LinkedIn have the option for easy and fast application. If you see a job that you’re interested in as you search for jobs, you can easily apply for it. You’ll see an Easy Apply or Apply button, and once you click on it, the last step would be to complete the form and submit it.
Detailed research.
If an employer gets in touch with you and you’re curious to hear more about their company, social media can help with that. The majority of companies regularly post content online, including photos, videos, and events. It’s an excellent opportunity to see whether the organization and the company culture are a good fit for you. Learning as much as you can about the company online can also help you go into the interview prepared and ask the right questions.
Opportunity to impress.
The study by CareerBuilder found that 58% of recruiters use social media to find information about a candidate that supports their qualification for the job. Whether it is on Twitter, LinkedIn, or Facebook, recruiters/employment agencies can see your job experience and the skills you possess. If you have a blog, for example, it can be an excellent resource to show recruiters your understanding of a specific topic but also your ambition and creativity.
Networking.
Social media is ideal for networking with people of all backgrounds. You can build your network and engage with a broader audience across multiple social channels. What’s more, you’ll learn a great deal about a company, share experiences with other employees, and get valuable advice.
(CareerBuilder survey)
Here’s how to use the most popular social networks in your job search
It should come as no surprise that 90% of all recruiters regularly use LinkedIn. After all, there are more than 20 million companies listed on the site and 14 million open jobs. Facebook may be the biggest social networking site, but LinkedIn is the best platform for those looking to develop business connections, and find a job. On this platform, you can find reputable companies across all industries, get noticed by staffing agencies, and stay in touch with like-minded individuals.
In fact, a study found that roughly 122 million people got an interview through LinkedIn. Out of those, 35.5 million have been hired by a person they connected with on the site.
If you’re actively looking for a job, it’s critical that you have an updated LinkedIn profile. Fill out your employment information and put up a professional photo. You can also take advantage of the platform’s features, such as Endorsements. Having multiple people endorsing your skills can show recruiters that you have an admirable skill set. Don’t be timid to ask your managers, coworkers, or customers to write a few kind words about you. If you have a personal blog or portfolio, you can attach the link to your profile. If not, you can always write a blog post directly on Linkedin.
Lastly, don’t forget to turn on the “open to new opportunities” feature, which will expose your profile to more recruitment agencies and employers.
Facebook remains the largest social media platform in the world. Recruiters regularly visit the platform to attract and convert talent.
If you want to see job posts in your News Feed, you need to click Jobs in the left column of the News Feed. You can filter the job posts by location, job type, and category.
You can go to a company’s official page and check whether they have any open positions. You need to click on Jobs in the left column of the page. If you want to apply directly through Facebook, you can click Apply Now, fill in the application, and click Send.
Tip: Be aware that employers or recruitment agencies can see the public version of your profile. Luckily, you can choose who sees your posts and how your profile looks to other people. If you want to use Facebook in your job search, make sure you delete or untag yourself from content that’s discriminatory and unprofessional.
You can use Facebook lists which are a way to build your professional social network. Using the feature, you can post an update for specific people, like recruiters. To create a list, go to “Account”, then “Friends”. You’ll see an option to “edit privacy”. Make sure you set custom privacy settings to keep people from seeing your regular updates.
You shouldn’t skip Twitter during your job hunt. It’s an excellent platform for finding and following people in your industry, growing your network, and keeping current with open positions.
An excellent way to take advantage of the platform is to follow people, join in conversations, and make yourself known.
Growing your network will mean that you’ll have higher chances of getting hired through referrals, rather than applying. And recruiters appreciate referred candidates as it means someone from inside the company trusts in your skills and can vouch for you.
You can also let your network know that you’re looking for a job by using a hashtag like:
- #JobSearch
- #JobHunt
- #JobSeeker
To join general job hunt conversations, you should use hashtags like:
- #CareerChat
- #JobHuntChat
Many companies and employment agencies advertise their job openings on Twitter. It’s quite easy to find attractive opportunities by using the hashtags employers use, including:
- #JobSearch
- #NowHiring
- #Hiring
- #Resume
- #JobOpening
- #TweetMyJobs
What to avoid on social media
Nearly 54% of recruiters use social networking sites to look for a reason not to hire a candidate. Meaning, there are some things you may want to look out for when using social media. What you post online can have long-lasting consequences for your professional life.
- If you have sensitive content on your social media profiles, make sure only your closest friends can see it. Why? Because 39% of recruiters said that provocative and inappropriate content left them with a bad impression.
- Avoid posting content about using drugs or drinking. Nearly 38% of recruiters said this type of content gave them a bad impression.
- Roughly 32% of recruiters said that discriminatory comments related to gender, race, or religion led them not to invite a candidate for an interview.
- Bad-mouthing your previous or fellow employees can get you into trouble. Nearly 30% of recruiters said this was the prime reason they decided not to proceed with a candidate.
- Lying about qualifications on social media is another reason why 27% of recruiters decided to skip talking to a candidate. Make sure you don’t make the same mistake as recruiters will eventually discover your real skills.
- Be mindful of how you communicate with other people on social media. Avoid using insulting language and treating others with disrespect. Around 27% of recruiters said that poor communication skills gave them a bad impression of a candidate.
- 26% of recruiters decided not to invite a candidate for an interview because they were linked to criminal behavior.
Key Takeaways
Staying engaged and active on these social media platforms can be a huge asset. They can help you develop yourself professionally, network with other people in your field, and land the job of your dreams.
Although each platform serves a different purpose, use it to its full potential by promoting your skills and experience. Build your name as a brand, and job offers will start lining up. With a little bit of research, regular active time, and a splash of effort, you will be walking into your new office in no time.
