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The world continues to evolve and the rules dictating employment change with it. In the last decade, employers have changed the way they find and screen potential employees. Ten to fifteen years ago, a phone number was the standard contact information that a company required from applicants. These days your e-mail address is your main point of contact. Not only do employers communicate with candidates via the Internet, but they also use it to research all job candidates. According to careerbuilder.com, 70 percent of employers have hired or rejected a potential candidate because of their social network profiles.
Social Networking Tips
- Start with a professional profile. Make sure your social media profiles are professional and up-to-date. This includes your LinkedIn profile, which is a must-have for any professional.
- Connect with people in your field. Use social media to connect with people in your field. This will help you to stay up-to-date on industry trends, to find job opportunities, and to build relationships with potential employers and colleagues.
- Be active on social media. Share interesting articles and blog posts, comment on other people’s posts, and participate in relevant conversations. This will help you to build your reputation as an expert in your field.
- Use social media to promote yourself. Share your work, your accomplishments, and your goals. This will help you to attract attention from potential employers and to build your personal brand.
- Be careful what you share. Remember that anything you post on social media can be seen by anyone, including potential employers. Be careful about what you share and make sure you are always professional.
Keep Your Profile Tame
Companies continuously strive for efficiency and profitability, which includes hiring top-notch employees. They often leverage various resources to evaluate a candidate’s suitability, including the Internet and social networking profiles. Ensure your online presence is employer-friendly by avoiding content you wouldn’t want to discuss with a potential employer. Steer clear of photos that depict alcohol consumption or drug use.
Navigating the job market? Supercharge your search with these 4 social networking strategies. Build connections, make a lasting impression, and land your dream job faster than you thought possible! #JobHuntSuccess #NetworkingNinjaClick To TweetPrivate or Public?
Should you prefer not to censor your profiles, consider setting them to private. LinkedIn, however, should remain public, as it allows employers to view your resume and contact you. Twitter and Facebook, being more personal rather than professional networking sites, can be set to private, limiting access to friends and followers. If you opt not to do this, be mindful that employers can see your content, so maintain a professional tone in your posts and tweets.
Networking Through Friends
Many people have hundreds of friends on Facebook and thousands of followers on Twitter. These are valuable resources when searching for a job. Look through your list of social networking contacts and see if anyone works at a company that interests you. If you find someone who does, send them a message asking to help get you a foot in the door. These people are your friends and should be interested in aiding you in your
Using Relevant Social Networking to Brand Yourself
Not all social networking sites are equal when it comes to getting your name out there for a job. Facebook is primarily a way to lose a job, rather than find one, as employers generally use Facebook to find out whether or not to hire the individual. LinkedIn, however, bills itself as the ‘world’s largest professional network’ and lives up to the name.
Creating a profile on the website is akin to a resume, with your employment history and references included. Simply making a profile and waiting for employers to find you is not enough though. LinkedIn’s best feature is its jobs section, where employers post openings. Actively search this section daily and apply to all jobs that interest you. Make sure, however, that your skill sets match the job as a mismatch looks very unprofessional.
Another good tool for finding employment through social networking is Twitter, believe it or not. Twitter allows you to bypass the red tape behind the hiring process and speak directly to hiring managers. Do some research and find Twitter for hiring managers or high-level members of companies that interest you. Twitter alone will not do the trick, as there aren’t enough characters to convey your skills. Send them a tweet with a short message showing your interest in the company and a link to your LinkedIn profile, blog, or resume.
Summary
In today’s digital age, the traditional methods of job hunting are rapidly evolving. By harnessing the power of social networking, you not only expand your reach but also position yourself at the forefront of opportunities. Remember, it’s not just about seeking a job but also about making the job come to you. These four social networking strategies are designed to amplify your presence, cultivate valuable connections, and pave the way for success. Embrace them wholeheartedly, and watch as doors you never even knew existed begin to open for you.
