November 9, 2015
Social media has made it easy for job seekers to find the right jobs. More employers are using social media to recruit, which means you should integrate it in your job search strategy. Research shows that conventional job search methods yield poor results and that regular job seekers give up after five months. Start off on the right foot by focusing on Facebook and Twitter. These two are great options because they are filled with multiple hiring managers and recruiters. Network with brands online, discover job opportunities, and get your dream job.
Here’s how to do it.
1) Start Networking
The only way you can get a job is through people. You can’t sit behind a computer and send applications all day waiting for a positive response. You’ll have to wait for a while. When you create a personal connection with the company you want to work for, you have higher chances of getting a job. Some years ago, you would need plenty of time to find out where all your friends worked or who they knew. Times have changed. These days, all you need to do is network on social media, and you’ll have all the information you need. Your friends can introduce you to people who work in companies you’re interested in working for. They are the only people who can go out of their way to help you
2) Create a Standout Profile
Your Facebook and Twitter profiles must attract the audience you want them to attract. Talk about the job you want and the brands you’d like to work for. Build gripping profiles that include your job history. They should demonstrate what you have accomplished, what your strengths are, and what you can give to future employers. It is also important to stay active on Facebook and Twitter. Don’t just create profiles and wait for employers to find you, connect with them on both platforms.
3) Ditch a Paper Resume and Use Multimedia
There are high chances paper resumes will soon be replaced by multimedia resumes on social media and business networking sites. Some job seekers have already figured this out and are using creative ways to promote themselves on social networks. There are rap videos, SlideShare presentations, Facebook pages, and even blogs saying “hire me.” These tactics are very efficient and can even garner you some media attention leading to a few job offers. Very few job seekers take the time to invest in these strategies hence they stand out and are shared extensively.
In today’s harsh job environment, more and more job seekers are looking for ways to set themselves apart. Multimedia resumes allow you to integrate images, samples of your work, and even videos. A multimedia resume can make the difference between not getting a response and getting your foot in the door.
4) Show Your Expertise
If you blog about your industry, you probably share your content on Twitter and Facebook. The good news is that you don’t have to be a writer to show how skilled you are. Retweet and share posts of other people that you find interesting. However, always make sure the content is related to your line of work. When you attend a tradeshow or an event relevant to your field, talk about what you find fascinating or share a few quotes from the speakers. If your job entails a lot of creativity, think outside the box as you reach out to your prospective employers.
5) Be Active on Social Media
If you want to make your name stand out in a pool of highly talented individuals in your field, you need to be active on social media. You don’t have to stay on top of your social profiles 24/7. You can start scheduling your original or curated posts to be shared at precise intervals by using scheduling software like Buffer or MassPlanner, depending on your needs. Even Facebook and Twitter have scheduling capabilities built-in, in case you don’t want to use third party software.
6) Follow Companies You Would Like To Work For
When you follow your potential employers, you’ll be notified about job openings, new hires, product developments, among other things. Follow the companies on Twitter and like their pages on Facebook. Twitter is an excellent job search tool. It makes it easy for you to connect with thought leaders, hiring managers, and influencers in your field. Most Twitter users don’t activate privacy controls. This means you can follow someone without their consent. You can also send direct messages to other users.
Search for groups related to your industry on Facebook but only join those that are active and vibrant. When you get accepted, introduce yourself to the members then establish yourself as a source of great content. Join in conversations about industry trends on both platforms. This way, you’ll show off your expertise and potential employers will start noticing you.
7) Become a Resource
When looking for a job on social media, don’t focus on yourself. Answer questions, share interesting and relevant content, and make introductions. If you are always thinking “What will I get in return?” you are on the wrong platforms. Once you’ve alerted people you are searching for a job, focus on them. The rule of the thumb states that every time you ask for a favor, give four in return.
8) Send Private Messages to Potential Employers
While this approach is not for everyone, it can work wonders when used properly. If you have identified a prospective employer who is active on Twitter and Facebook, send them a message and let them know you are searching for a job. But before you start sending messages to every company you’d like to work for, take the time to interact with them. Retweet their tweets and share their posts. Like their posts, comment on them, and participate in Twitter chats. The companies are more likely to respond to your messages if you’ve built a rapport with them.
9) Advertise Yourself
If you’ve done all you can and job offers aren’t coming your way, advertise yourself. Pay for a promoted tweet or a Facebook ad and put yourself in front of potential employers. While businesses mainly use these two, nowhere does it say that they can’t be utilized in a job search. Be sure to target specific companies and company executives when creating your ad and tweet. Since companies and people Google themselves, your advertisements will be seen, and you will land interviews. Create an advert that draws attention and link it to your Facebook profile. It should be specific and clearly show your skills.
For you to succeed in your job search, you must incorporate social media. More and more companies are using social networks to find employees. Stop tweeting and updating your status, use social networks to augment your career prospects.
Photo Source: StartupStockPhotos
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