How to use social media to find a job

We all know that social media is increasingly playing a bigger and bigger role in the way we communicate in the digital age. And, you can be sure just about every company is either using platforms (or thinking about it) to advertise and brand their product.

A recent article in Rigzone, the online publication for the Oil and Gas Industry, entitled Top Social Media Dos and Don’ts When Looking for a Job detailed the best ways to use social media when trying to connect with companies with jobs. While the article focused on interviewers in that industry and their increased use of social media to search for candidates, the same trend is evident in all types of businesses.

Using social media to look and apply for jobs is smart, but realize  “it requires some maintenance on the backend, too. How job candidates present themselves online is extremely important. While no one is perfect, it certainly doesn’t increase a candidate’s chances of getting hired if they’re airing all of their dirty laundry.”   

Here’s some dos and don’ts when using social media:

Do be social– interaction is important. Respond to people online and talk about industry topics. Employers like to see you are engaged in discussions related to their industry.

Use hashtags appropriately– Many companies will use certain hashtags, such as #jobsearch or #nowhiring, on their social media sites. Understand how the hashtags are used. It can be a great way to focus on specific job markets.

Do provide a link in your bio or description- Provide links to pages that show your industry knowledge or experience. Including a link to your blog or online portfolio in your bio description on social media is good. But, don’t link to personal pages that have no relevance.

Don’t use a provocative or overly casual photo as your default image. A headshot photo of you dressed in business attire should work fine.

Don’t forget to filter what you share, retweet, or link to.  Remember that unless your page is private, anyone has access to the content there. You want your activity on social media to be useful and informative, not controversial or inappropriate.

 Don’t refer to yourself as “unemployed” or “looking for a job“. Instead, identify your area of expertise and what you are looking for.

How job candidates present themselves online is extremely important. While no one is perfect, it certainly doesn’t increase a candidate’s chances of getting hired if they’re airing all of their dirty laundry on social media.

From The Key Corporate Services Blog Team