The Effects of Social Media on Your Job Search

Last Updated on September 23, 2024

When is the last time you sat down with a newspaper to start looking for a job, dropped your resume off in person at a business, or even fill out a hard copy of a job application? These days we operate almost exclusively online, even when we’re searching for possible new careers. We also tend to plaster our entire lives online without a second thought, something that’s a product of assuming that social media websites are more private than they are in actuality. In fact, most potential employers can find out just about everything they need to know about you just by searching for you on the Internet and pulling up your social media profiles. Because of this, social media has the power to make or break a potential job position for you.

Making it Happen

1.  Showcasing your talent

When it’s used correctly social media can be a wonderful opportunity to showcase any skills and talents that could be beneficial to helping you secure a new job. Having links to your work or to an online portfolio allows prospective employers to easily access all of your work so that they can get a feel for what you have to offer.

2.  Networking

Using social media as a tool to form relationships with professionals within your desired niche market is a great way to expand your pool of resources. You can use websites like Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to build relationships and find events and conventions to attend, and further network in person.

3.  Having a wide range of interests

You can also use your social media profiles to let others know you have an extensive variety of interests that contribute to you being a well-rounded person. Being able to see that you’re active in hobbies outside of work is an attractive quality that can aid you in your job search.

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12/19/2024 11:47 pm GMT

Breaking Point

1. Negative blasts

We have a tendency to use social media to Tweet or Facebook any and all of our negative emotions toward what we perceive to be our friends. In reality, almost anyone can see anything you’re posting, including anything that could be potentially damaging when read by a possible employer.

2. Having questionable information online

All of those pictures posted from parties and other questionable activities that you’ve engaged in that you don’t think twice about could end up being detrimental to your job search. It can come across as unprofessional and unappealing to prospective companies who stumble on them while researching you.

3. Unflattering posts by others

Something that can be equally harmful when others are inquiring about you via social media is what others are saying about you. While it may be funny to you and your friends, take into account if it’s something you would want an employer reading, and delete anything that is questionable.

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12/20/2024 04:27 am GMT

Social media can be a great tool for helping you find a job with all of the different resources it offers. However it’s up to you to make sure that it doesn’t end up hindering your job search as well – every little thing adds up.