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Master the Modern Social Job Search

Today's modern job search has evolved into a social media-driven process.

Where Do Employers Find Talent? Online! Translation?

If you want to land your dream job, go social. Here's how to do it right.


Social Media Job Hunt - Everyone is Doing It
Just like a resume, social media is a means to an end. From Instagram to LinkedIn, these online platforms are tools you can use to land a job. While you may consider your social posts as a way to communicate ideas and activities with friends, employers are also evaluating what you post to learn about your personality and skills.

Which platforms do employers frequent? According to The Muse:
  • 93% are on LinkedIn
  • 66% are on Facebook
  • 54% are on Twitter
Employers are using social media just like you are - to build their personal brand image. But they also use these tools to post jobs and reach out to people who they think might be a fit for their company.

The days of posting a job on a careers page and waiting for you to apply are over. The historically low unemployment rate has forced employers to follow workers to where they live: on social media. Job seekers can take advantage by harnessing these tools to improve their search.

If you want to find your next job, you can now use social to land it. Here's what to do.

Using Social Media to Land a Job
If you're ready to take advantage of the power of social for your next career move, the first thing to do is give your profile pages a good scrub. Most people are aware that what happens on social stays there forever, but it's still a good idea to look at your posts and profiles with a critical eye toward what the employer will see.

Keep your image professional and consistent across all the platforms you frequent. When you're on the job hunt, make sure each social media profile shares information about your skills and career goals. Link your profiles to websites or project pages that will give employers a good look at your skills.

Next, give some thought to where your profiles reside. Keep in mind you don't have to be active everywhere; instead, pick a few select platforms and build your presence by posting regularly. Try targeting these three platforms to help extend your reach:
  • LinkedIn is the king of professional job search platforms, combining user profiles and the ability to connect with colleagues, along with a job board, groups and more. You can follow companies you're interested in and the platform will notify you of members who work or are connected to the company.
  • Facebook also has a groups feature, which allows you to link with companies you're interested in. It's a good place to watch for employers to post new job openings or other employment news.
  • Twitter is a way to connect with recruiters in real time. The platform is helpful if you're targeting a specific company. You'll be able to see what's going on with the organization, which will help inform the conversation when you land that next big interview.
Stay active on the social media platforms you select by commenting and reposting at least a few times a week. Always maintain an upbeat, professional tone-remember, hiring managers are watching!
5 Social Steps to Land Your Next Job
Now that your social media presence is ready for the limelight, turn your attention to using these tools to further your job search. Here are five things you can do today to find more job opportunities:
  1. Use social media to search for job leads. LinkedIn is a particularly useful platform for job openings.

  2. Connect or follow employers to gain a better sense of your culture fit in their organization.

  3. Join groups to build networking connections and look for job leads. Again, start on LinkedIn, with a search in the group's category for your field of expertise. There are groups as diverse as sales reps, nurses, construction workers and more.

  4. Look for staffing agencies in your field and follow them. Staffing agencies work with companies to help them find talent. Many times they'll post jobs that haven't even made it to a job board yet!

  5. Connect with recruiters-including staffing recruiters. Having a trusted recruiter in your corner will give you a competitive advantage in the job market.
Staffing recruiters, like social media, can be a great resource in the job market today. These professionals go beyond your social media profile and get to know the real person. When it's time for your next move, use the power of social media to connect with these important employment resources to help you take the next step in your career.