Social media has grown far beyond its initial purpose of connecting friends. Nearly everyone, including potential employers, uses at least one site, giving job searchers an unprecedented way to expand their professional circles. With a bit of effort, popular services such as Facebook and LinkedIn can help you build the relationships that can lead to your next job.
Polish Your Presence
Before you start the job search, make an effort to polish your social media presence. Fill out your LinkedIn profile completely and check for typos, ensuring that the content doesn't conflict with the information on your resume or job applications. If any of your personal accounts contain questionable content, set them to private, and consider removing links to controversial articles. Change the profile photo on each account to a work-appropriate image; even when an account is private, the main photo is often visible to the public. As a final step, do what every potential employer is likely to do before calling you in for an interview: Google yourself. Look for any red flags that pop up on friends' accounts, such as embarrassing tagged Facebook photos or unseemly Twitter mentions. Correct or remove what you can, and be prepared to explain everything else.
Establish Industry Expertise
When you are looking for a job, put your personal social media accounts to work by integrating posts about your industry. Offer insightful Facebook commentary on breaking stories or participate in discussions on Twitter to position yourself as a thought leader. Retweet or share posts from credible news sources, and include your own thoughts. If you write a blog, share links to your posts. In the process, you'll show potential employers that you are up-to-date and engaged.
Reinforce Offline Networking
If part of your job search includes professional networking, use social media to strengthen the relationships you make at events or trade shows. Send invitations to connect on LinkedIn along with a personalized message to remind the person who you are and what you discussed. Then, make an effort to add value and build the connection by participating in discussions or sharing articles that relate to your shared interests. If appropriate, make online introductions that can help each contact fulfill a need or build a partnership.
Search for Jobs
Occasionally, companies post job opportunities on social media. Find them by searching for keywords that relate to your job hunt: "hiring," "job," "accountant" or "help wanted," for example. Follow your target employers on Facebook, Instagram and Google Plus to see when they share employment openings. Some websites, including LinkedIn, offer dedicated sections for job posts.
When it comes to job hunting, social media gives you a unique opportunity to connect with other professionals and find unique opportunities. By using it to your advantage and actively pursuing relationships with key industry contacts, you can find the perfect job in less time.
Photo courtesy of KROMKRATHOG at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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