Five steps for social media job seeking
Despite being called 'social-media', raising your profile online and making sure you network properly is essential for finding work and improving your career prospects.
You can use social media professionally to make lasting connections with other people in your industry or field, find new opportunities – and you can even make a name for yourself as a 'bit of a guru' or voice of authority.
1. Keep your profiles updated
Just like having an up to date CV, your online profiles all need to be brought into line and up to date. It's no good if they all say different things and look uncoordinated - it'll just make you look a bit random and disorganised.
A profile picture will help to let people put a face to a name and also help people remember you.
Don't forget, potential employers like to check out candidates online so make sure your picture sends out the right signals about you. There's no excuse for having an online profile that puts off employers – or even possible new contacts.
2. Show your skills
Make sure you highlight your skills and achievements – just like a CV, in fact. If you're using social media as your career media, you need to make sure what you have online is relevant and engaging. No clichés, old stories and padding.
3. Blog your way in
If you feel you want to say something more, you can always post some fresh content in the form of a blog from a personal website. This needs to be relevant to what you do and what your reader might be interested in.
Once again, a good blog may act as an advert to employers that you know what you're talking about – you may even get asked in for a position that isn't even advertised.
If you make contact with employers or other people you'd like to stay in touch with, you can always direct them to your website and your other social media accounts. This looks professional and business-like.
Naturally having your own website, like say designers, architects or famous people, allows you to showcase your work. If your work is showcased on your website, then make sure you provide links to it on all your social media profiles to speed things up.
Social media offers an easy way to meet new people and build relationships with them, so don't be surprised if others want to ask for your advice and opinions too. It's a two-way thing.
4. Build connections
LinkedIn is one of the most obvious social media channels where you can create a profile and post up to date information along with links to your other social media profiles and websites or blogs. Link your blogs to your LinkedIn profile and you can begin to attract like-minded readers – and generate interest from those all important potential employers.
If there’s an area of industry you like to get involved with, seek out the profile of people that work there and try to connect with them via active groups that are relevant to your field. You can also select to get a daily digest by email for each of the groups so you don’t miss anything.
5. Get Twittering
Twitter is a great way of connecting with people and you can easily instigate conversations with other users. You can start by following all the companies that you would like to work for and then engage with them. Asking about opportunities is one way, but you can always keep an eye out for any Tweets about any jobs coming up and respond to them.
Do a keyword search to see if anyone is looking to hire as businesses often advertise their job offers on Twitter. With Facebook and Google+ try joining groups and communities to network with others and, as with Twitter, stay on the lookout for any offers.