Using Social Media to Find a Job
in Marketing by Ling Wong
Using Social Media to Find a Job
It was all fun and games in the beginning. However, social media is no longer simply for keeping in touch with family, snooping on your ex-boyfriend, or keeping up with the latest trends. It has become a valuable job search tool in recent years, which many potential applicants overlook. According to a survey of recruiters and hiring managers, Facebook (74 percent) is the clear winner for maintaining your professional social media profile, followed by LinkedIn (56 percent) and Instagram (4%). (49 percent ). In 2021, 68 percent of recruiters believe job seekers will need a LinkedIn profile, and 65 percent of hiring managers don't mind being contacted on LinkedIn by potential prospects.
According to studies, 92 percent of organizations use social media for hiring, and three out of every four hiring managers will look up a candidate's social media profiles. Whether you're a fresh college graduate or an experienced professional looking for a new position, social media can help you find work using these tactics.
Do a search for yourself
Employers will almost certainly check at your social media sites before inviting you for an interview, so be prepared. The first step is to use an incognito browser to search for yourself. Your search results will not be influenced by your browser history in this way. Then wait to see what comes up. Remove any offensive posts or photographs you see, or adjust your privacy settings if necessary. Keep certain information public, such as your employment history, location, and professional qualifications, because you'll still want recruiting managers to locate you. People will always be able to see your profile images on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram, regardless of how strict your privacy settings are, so make sure you're happy with them.
Concentrate on just a few social media channels
Don't manage too many accounts on social media. It will be difficult for you to keep them current. The basic rule is to concentrate your job search on one or two platforms, with LinkedIn being the most important. Verify that your contact information is correct and that the information on your LinkedIn page corresponds to the information on your CV. If you've been ignoring social channels for a long, such as a Twitter or Facebook account you haven't used in three years, now is a good time to delete them. By altering your LinkedIn settings, you can let recruiters know you're interested in new career prospects. When recruiters are looking for potential job prospects, your profile will appear in search results if you identify the types of employment you're interested in and your chosen location.
Investigate using social media
You may also learn more about groups you're interested in by using social media. Employers frequently share pertinent articles and other information about corporate changes on social media. This knowledge can aid you in your job hunt by allowing you to better grasp the company's culture and how they treat their employees. Use LinkedIn and Twitter to find out who the decision-makers are at the companies you're interested in. You can attract their attention by following them and commenting on their tweets. Responding to their tweets and demonstrating your worth will put you ahead of other applicants who aren't willing to put themselves out there.
Make a name for yourself as a thought leader
Engaging with industry experts and portraying yourself as a subject matter expert on social media platforms is another job search tactic. To do so, join the conversation by leaving comments and contributing to industry-specific Facebook or LinkedIn groups. These organizations can assist you in growing professionally and connecting with people at the companies you're studying. Start sharing and resharing content that is relevant to your profession or area of expertise. By posting articles and commenting on industry news, Twitter is also an excellent opportunity to promote oneself as a thought leader. Finally, you'll want to maintain a similar tone and style across all of your social network accounts. You should use these channels to establish your personal brand as well as hunt for jobs.
Send Messages That Are Unique To You
Using LinkedIn to expand your network is an excellent job-search tactic. When you send someone an invitation, though, the default message is generic. If you're reaching out to someone you'd like to network with on the spur of the moment, tailor your request to provide context. You'll have a lot better chance of getting a response. Set up a phone call with them once you've received their response.
Don't overlook social media's ability to emphasize your abilities, provide employers with insight into your personality, and help you find a job.
