Social media and the internet are essential networking and information gathering tools for job searching.
Social media is a broad term and there are many different types available. This information covers the most common social media platforms. Using these provides the opportunity to market yourself and make contact with employers that can help you find jobs and work experience.
Currently, the main three sites in social media are Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, but there are also other social networks that can be useful in your job hunting and careers research. Having your own blogging and online portfolio sites can also be important particularly in the media and marketing sectors.
Twitter
Write a full profile to attract followers. Your biography should include career aspirations, skills, experience etc.
Read other people’s biographies and see if they are worth getting in touch with. They could help you with your career, where to find jobs and point you in the direction of further information
Find jobs through Twitter. Follow recruiters and you will be one of the first to know the latest job postings
If you are looking for a new opportunity say so
Learn about organisations. Many companies use social media to provide information on their latest news & initiatives
Connect to people you don’t know, follow links, send messages, reply to tweets
It can keep you in the loop with events that might give you the opportunity to meet potential employers
Get used to commenting on other people’s tweets to raise your profile. Ask a question, make a query or show your understanding of a story
How to effectively use Twitter as a job search resource (Mashable)
LinkedIn
Build network, make contacts
Create a full professional profile
Use keywords in your summary and experience section
Seek out recommendations. This way potential employers can see your personality
Make sure search results sell you – create your own specific url for your profile and a clear summary of skills
Join and participate in groups as it raises your profile and expands your network. Don’t forget you can create your own group as well
Stay up to date with industry trends, view jobs etc
Facebook
Showcases you as a whole person.
Be aware of the type and amount of data you are sharing.
Look at your profile and decide what you want employers to see and not to see
Have a simple profile with minimal graphics and limit photographs
Post content which is relevant to your career and job search
Choose your friends wisely – they can see information on other friends you have
Many businesses have fan pages. ‘Like’ them to get the latest updates
You can join groups relevant to your job hunting or your particular industry. Use these to network and post comments
YouTube
Creating a video CV can demonstrate to employers that you are professional and articulate without them having to call you in for interview
Approach YouTube with creativity, authenticity and consistency
Research employers – many employers have their own YouTube channel
Particularly useful for some specific job roles – for example media and media production
Social media can create opportunities and open doors, however it can also ruin your reputation and chances of employment if professionalism is not maintained.
Managing your on-line reputation
Increasingly employers are using social media to get background information on job candidates, there have been many stories in the media about applicants being rejected due to their social media profiles.
Google yourself. What comes up? Facebook and Linkedin feature highly in search results so it’s important you know what can be seen publicly and not just by your ‘friends’
Make sure you are fully aware of privacy settings and how they work
Proofread everything before you post it online
Spellcheck your postings
Quick Tips
Be Professional
Do not put a photo on your account that may give a bad impression. Remember, even if your profile is private they can still see this
Be aware of what you are posting and how you may come across to potential employers
Where possible keep your profiles positive
Check your e-mail address or username. Ensure that they are professional
Privacy Settings on Facebook and Twitter
Learn how to use the privacy settings on sites. You can control who sees what posts by selecting the ‘Custom’ button
Twitter – Remember that anyone can view your present and past updates. However a private account on Twitter will limit your accessibility and availability to employers
Keep an eye on what other people post to your wall and your tags. It’s easy to control those settings within Facebook and Twitter.
Don’t Lie
As always, if you lie you will usually be found out, especially in the world of employment
