Using Social Media to Land a Job
The use of social media in a job search is becoming more critical. From LinkedIn and Twitter to blogging, social media will help land you the perfect job.
In the past, it was pretty simple:
- Send your cover letter and resume in response to an open position at a company.
- Get an interview, and.
- Hopefully, I get hired.
Nowadays, experts say things are changing based on the economic situation and the increased use of technology in society. Social media is beginning to play a more significant role in aiding job seekers in landing a position.
The present situation
In the article “7 Secrets to Getting Your Next Job Using Social Media,” author Dan Schawbel states, “The new approach [to getting a job] is far different. There are fewer jobs available, greater competition for those, and more touchpoints for recruiters and job searchers.” It means that to land a job, you need to make yourself memorable to employers. Schawbel and other experts’ suggestions on how to do this? Social media.
According to Laura Petrecca in “More college grads use social media to find jobs,” the number of college students who, as of April, we’re planning to use LinkedIn in their job search was 28%. This number was up from just 5% of college students planning to do so in 2019. Likewise, the number of students planning to use Facebook increased from 2019, increasing from 5 to 7%.
Petrecca says, “Students get the lowdown on employers by viewing their websites, reading Facebook and Twitter updates, and perusing LinkedIn profiles.” Job seekers need to utilize these tools, but companies must broadcast themselves online to be noticed by those searching for jobs.
LinkedIn is a valuable site that professionals and those looking for employment use to connect themselves to other individuals. However, according to Schawbel, “Many individuals don’t utilize LinkedIn properly and don’t fill their profile to the point where it reads “100% complete.” To complete your profile, Schawbel suggests getting at least one recommendation, which will make you look even better to potential employers. “Import from Outlook, Gmail, etc., “says the way you may establish or extend your network.”
After completing your profile, you can search for open positions and connect with individuals in various companies. In the article “The Basics of Using LinkedIn to Find a Job“, Adam Nash expresses his surprise that people do not understand all they can do on LinkedIn. He says that people can “search for something other than a name.” If you have a skill set or know what position you are interested in, you can type this into the search engine instead of a company name. If job seekers know they are interested in a particular city, they can also refine their search this way. Nash also says that LinkedIn “has a complete Jobs section to help you search for posted openings.”
Twitter isn’t simply for chatting with pals or reading the latest buzz—it’s also a great place to search for jobs and connect with those who work in companies in which you are interested.
In the article “Social Media: Get Your Foot in the Virtual Door,” Tory Johnson states that it is essential to use the “Find People” search on Twitter. Johnson suggests searching for the company you wish to work for, then looking at the pages of those who work for the company. “Follow those who work in recruiting and/or within the departments that appeal to you,” Johnson says. One woman, cited by Johnson, who turned to Twitter to get noticed at one particular company, was hired within one month of contacting them.
Blogs
In addition to using social media to apply for jobs, it is also advised to develop a “personal brand.” It is essentially individualizing yourself to make you stand out from the masses. A great way to do this, Schawbel says, is by blogging. In addition, he stresses the importance of being “a content producer instead of just a consumer.” In other words, it’s a good idea to show employers what you can do instead of just applying to positions.
Blogging, says Schawbel, “Get recruiters interested in your brand without asking for a job.” So be sure to write about what you enjoy and are interested in to attract recruiters from companies where you’d like to be working.
The bottom line
As times change, networking and using social media sites to help your job hunt becomes more vital. Best of luck with your search!
