How Social Media can work for you in your Job Search
These days, your application doesn’t stop with your CV and cover letter. Thanks to sites like Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook, employers have a wealth of information about potential candidates at their fingertips (and 80% take a look online before interview). If a quick click on Google shows some less-than-professional behaviour, your job search could suffer the consequences.
So take a two-phase approach to successful job hunting by cleaning up your online act and using social networking to your distinct advantage. Here’s how:
Google yourself.
Check what pops up on a general search, then take a closer look on the biggies like Facebook, Twitter and Bebo. Look at postings and photos from an employer’s point of view and remove or make private anything that could work against you.
Keep good company.
Don’t allow ‘friends’ to jeopardise your job search. The people, groups and organisations you’re connected with reflect on you, so choose wisely.
Pick a new name.
Email addresses like partygirl@clublife.com can crush your credibility, so set up a more appropriately named account for business-related messages.
Set up a Google alert.
Sign up to Google’s free alert service to keep tabs on your online presence and receive an email every time your name pops up on a website, blog or news page.
Get connected.
Visit LinkedIn to create a flexible personal profile and build up a valuable network of business contacts. Recruiters often use the site to search for candidates, so make sure your details deliver. Think of your profile as your online CV and pack it full of skills, qualifications and experience, as well as the keywords potential employers may be searching on.
Get recommended.
Business networking sites like LinkedIn allow contacts to endorse you, making your profile even more powerful. Online referrals add extra oomph to your application, so don’t be shy about asking colleagues and employers to sing your professional praises.
Build an online platform.
Blogging can build a buzz around your name and position you as an expert in your field. Setting up is simple and free and, thanks to loads of online advice, you can learn the ropes quickly. When you’re up and running, aim to create a loyal following and catch the eyes of potential employers by linking your posts to Twitter and LinkedIn.
Put Twitter to work for you.
Twitter can be a valuable tool in your job search. Stay in the loop about new roles with the site’s ready-made job services and take a proactive approach by following leaders in your field and searching for other users who work in your ideal company. Keep things current by posting regular updates on your job search and demonstrate your knowledge to hiring managers by tweeting about industry news and research. And don’t forget to invite followers to learn more about you by visiting your LinkedIn profile.
