Conducting a social media job search may sound like an intimidating concept, but it is one of the best networking tools available. According to research done by the Pew Research Center, 74 percent of adults who regularly use the Internet use social networking sites. Most potential employers are among that 74 percent.
Social media allows people to connect with you and learn who you are in a way that traditional resumes cannot (though you still need a traditional resume), and it can help you realize existing connections you have with potential companies.
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Why Is Social Media Important in a Job Search?
- Career Growth—You can now look for a new job in more efficient and effective ways than ever before. Social media channels like Facebook, LinkedIn, and others may help you find new employment opportunities you wouldn’t discover elsewhere. These channels can help you connect with professionals and friends in your field.
- Self-Employment—For people who are independent contractors or own a business, a profile on a social networking site is a good way to promote and make contacts with clients. On several channels, there are recommendations where people can make comments about a business or contract worker.
- Maintain Professional Relationships—One of the best aspects of networking through social media is the ability it gives you to continue professional relationships without needing to live near your contacts. For example, if you meet people at a conference, you can stay connected with them through LinkedIn or Twitter. Keeping in touch with people in your industry is an essential part of expanding your network.
What Social Media Is Best for Job Searching?
LinkedIn is a social media site designed for professionals. This is where you connect with colleagues and professors as well as classmates and friends. You can input your work history and a portfolio, and your connections can endorse your skills.
A benefit of LinkedIn is that you can include much more detail about your qualifications than on a traditional paper resume. And, if you get a promotion or new certification, you can publish that accomplishment to your connections when you update your profile.
LinkedIn is also a great resource for networking. Connect with those you know and grow your network from there to help you find jobs that aren’t advertised. Learn more about using LinkedIn for networking here.
Facebook is currently the most widely used social media channel. It is a networking service that allows you to share messages, links, photos, and videos with family, friends, and other connections.
Facebook is often used for personal contacts and acquaintances, so the interactions on Facebook are generally more casual. This is a good place to connect with old classmates, friends, and people in your ward, though more and more companies are using it now to research potential employees.
Twitter is used for sending and receiving short messages and images called tweets. You can follow as many people as you like: friends, colleagues, companies, organizations, and leaders in your field. Because anyone can follow anyone on Twitter, the audience is broad, even if the posts are often quite personal.
Most companies have Twitter accounts. Sometimes they tweet about job openings, and most companies tweet information about key initiatives and projects. When preparing for an interview or while doing research, see what types of things a company is tweeting, as this can give insight into what’s new and exciting in the company as well as the company culture.
Instagram allows the sharing of pictures and videos. When you post an image or video, it will appear to all of your followers and be visible to anyone through an Instagram search if you have a public account. Instagram is a great way to participate in ongoing conversations through hashtags, and it works particularly well for showing what is important to you and who you are.
As with YouTube, this is not necessarily for everyone. But if you work in the public relations, fashion, travel, or photography fields, it’s probably something you should consider.
YouTube
YouTube is a platform where videos can be uploaded, viewed, shared, and rated. While not essential for all job seekers, it can be helpful depending on your field. If you work in the digital world, YouTube is a key place to share your media portfolio. But even beyond media-specific fields, YouTube is a place where people can go for information about careers.
TikTok
TikTok is a platform where short 15-second to 3-minute videos can be uploaded on the app. There is a range of content uploaded on the app, but this is a great resource to follow creators who specialize in advice on job search. There are creators who give advice from where to find a job in a specific field to how to do well in an interview.
How Can I Use Social Media to Find a Job?
Reach out to your friends
When you are looking for a job, Facebook and LinkedIn are great places to let people know that you are looking. These are your friends and personal contacts; they are people who are invested in you and want you to succeed.
There are also a lot of people who you might not interact with on a regular basis among your Facebook friends, so writing a Facebook status letting people know what you’re looking for a job can uncover many potential leads. You never know who has heard of an open position or who might have connections at companies in your industry.
Look for common connections
Use LinkedIn or Facebook to search for connections or mutual friends who might be able to contact potential employers and help you schedule an informational interview. This is also a great way to prepare for a job interview—see if you have any connections that already work for the company and can give you some tips before interviewing.
Share your portfolio online
You don’t have to be a web designer to create an online portfolio. There are plenty of free services that can do this for you. These websites allow you to share your resume, past projects, and any other important information that might be of interest to potential employers. After you create your portfolio, don’t forget to share it on all of your other social media channels.
Follow companies and groups on Twitter and LinkedIn
Companies frequently post job openings on Twitter and LinkedIn. Identify several companies that you would be interested in working for and follow their accounts. You will then know immediately when a new job opening is posted. LinkedIn also has 2.1 million professional groups. Browse through the groups associated with your field or interests and join a few.