Social Media: A Crucial Part of Your Job Search Strategy

It’s 2017 (almost 2018!) and we’re well into the age of social media. Social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest have made our lives more convenient. They also help us to maintain friendships around the globe, follow breaking news in real-time, and share our ideas to a worldwide audience.

A professional social media presence for job seekers is no longer a “nice thing to have,” it is now a crucial element that employers use to source potential new hires.

Not only is social media a great way for employers to seek out possible candidates, it is also a means to source potential great employers (because job searching is a two-way street, right?).

LinkedIn: LinkedIn, a website that specializes in professional networking, is a great place to start up your professional social media profile as it allows you to follow companies and add fellow professionals to your network. You can also apply for posted positions and reach out to the recruiter directly.

Glassdoor: Glassdoor can help you research regarding a company you are looking at applying to. Glassdoor reviews can help you decide if a company looks like a great fit for you.

Facebook: Not many know this, but Facebook is also being utilized as a job board. There are public Facebook groups specifically for employers and job seekers in the area [If you haven’t checked out our Landrum Staffing Facebook page, I highly recommend it as a place to start if you’re job searching in the Pensacola/Fort Walton Beach/Panama City areas!]. I personally have had success in using Facebook both as a job seeker and as a recruiter. 

Before you go and start your social media job-hunt, be sure to follow these tips:

Make sure your profile picture is a picture of you. On every social media site, your name is included with a profile picture. You want this picture to send the right message, especially if you are seeking employment. Group pictures, pictures of your pet, pictures of an object, or anything inappropriate should be avoided. Need help with this? Check out our blog: Do’s and Don’ts for Your LinkedIn Profile Picture [Samples Included]  

Check your privacy settings. Accounts can be set into private mode. This allows only your friends or approved followers to see what you post. When you apply for a position on social media, chances are, the recruiter will click on your profile. Trust me, the best way to keep a recruiter from seeing anything you wish they wouldn’t is to adjust your privacy settings.  

Be careful with the content you share and interact with on social media. If the original post was public, it will be a public post even when you share it to your own page. If you comment on a public post, others can see your comment.  So, if you find yourself in an online argument, take a step back. There is nothing to gain in winning an argument against a stranger from the internet.  

Skip oversharing. Now that your account is private and secure, you’re safe now, right? No, not really. Sometimes, when we are caught in the moment, we tend to share too much on social media. I hate to break it to you, but some things are not meant to be shared. Not even to 1,000 of your closest friends (this isn’t MySpace circa 2001).Making comments or posts may not seem like a big deal to you, but in reality it can potentially cost you your job. Over the past few years, there have been more and more cases of employees being terminated for their posts on social media.

Here are some examples:  

• Job offer rescinded because of soon-to-be employee’s tweet
• School employee fired over joke on Twitter

When it comes to posting, it is better to be safe than sorry. Remember, being active and up-to-date on social media is an important tool in your job search. Just remember to use your best judgement and think before you post!

Be sure to check out LandrumHR's Staffing social sites - we post all kinds of job seeker tips as well as a variety of employment opportunities in NWFL.

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn