Social Media

With more and more companies and recruiters using social media to find and screen potential employees, it’s fast becoming a vital part of the job search process.

Top social media sites for job seekers

Facebook
X (formerly Twitter)
LinkedIn
Instagram

How to effectively use a social media network

The key reason more people are using social media to help with their job search is because it’s a great way to connect with people. Whether you use X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn, it’s important to spread the word that you’re looking for work.

If you don’t let anyone know that you’re searching for jobs, then the potential to network and advertise your skills is wasted. The next time you’re on your favourite social media site, make sure you let your friends and followers know that you’re looking for a job. Your friends may not know of any immediate job openings, but if any come up, they’ll definitely think of you if they know you’re looking.

Social media is all about spreading the word, so be sure to spread your message as far as possible.

Create a professional profile

Many employers are now using social media to help screen potential hires, so if you applied for a job recently, there’s a good chance that your profile has been looked at by someone in the company you applied to.

For this reason, it’s very important that you tidy your online profiles by removing any questionable photos or messages before you start looking for work. It’s also a good idea to replace your profile picture with one that shows your professionalism and good taste.

If you’d prefer to keep your profile private, make sure that you update the privacy settings on any of the sites you use to ensure that only your friends can view your content.

“Follow” or “like” career experts

One of the great things about social media is how quickly you can access the latest job-search advice and trends. Sites like Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn are teeming with recruiters, bloggers, career counsellors and HR personnel who are eager to share their expertise with job seekers.

Whether it’s an infographic, blog post, article or study, you’ll find plenty of useful information and tips on social media that can help you land your dream job. The next time you go online, make sure you devote some time to follow the experts or companies in your field of interest.

Make connections

Due in part to the marketing potential of social media and its growing user base, many employers are now using social media as a way to spread company news, job postings, and promotions.

And because it’s so fast and easy to spread the word through social media, many employers are now announcing job opportunities on their social media feeds long before they post them on job boards or newspapers. For this reason, it’s important to connect with employers online to make sure you don’t miss out on any opportunities. Following employers of interest will also keep you up-to-date on their current events, which may assist you in future interviews.