We are living in a virtual world these days. But even so, there is a virtual tool you’re not utilizing in your job hunt but should be: social media.
When it comes for looking for jobs, I am sure social media is not one of the top places that come to mind. But it should be leveraged! Companies are using it to search for those in their networks that may be qualified for a job or just to promote any job listing that may be open. It’s also a great way to build your network. Social media is a free way for companies and organizations to bring in talent, and they are taking advantage of this. You should too.
Why You Need To Use Social Media In Your Job Hunt
If you are not following companies you’d like to work for, do so! Many companies not only have their main corporate page, but they have career pages too. These Twitter pages are solely meant to promote new job openings within the company so they are a great page to follow so you can be in the latest know of openings you may be qualified for.
Another smart way to utilize Twitter is to follow the leadership team at the companies you are looking into. They may be tweeting out job openings too, but they also may be sharing content you can respond to and interact with. If you can get into a conversation with the person and establish a “relationship” with them via Twitter, that will help you if a job openings comes up that you want to apply for. They may already know your name or depending on how connected you become via Twitter, you may be able to message them inquiring about the job. Twitter is one of the best social media channels to do this.
Hashtags are also important and great ways to look for job openings, especially on Twitter. Some popular hashtags you should be looking at if you are job hunting are:
- #JobSearch
- #JobHunt
- #JobOpening
- #NowHiring
- #Hiring
- #Careers
One overlooked tool on Facebook are Facebook groups. There really are Facebook groups for everything… including your niche or industry. Don’t be afraid to join these Facebook groups. In fact, join professional organizations for your industry, in your area, etc. People use these Facebook groups to post openings. Plus, you can see the Facebook page of the person posting, which means you can comment underneath with a question or just expressing interest.
Follow the companies and organizations you are interested in working for on Facebook. Many companies post job openings there as well.
By now, we all know that Instagram is more than just pictures. It’s a go-to place for people to be entertained, to learn new things, and to connect. This is true for the job hunt, too. Follow the companies you are interested in working for (do you sense a trend yet?).
There is a chance they share some job openings they are having on their accounts, especially through the stories feature. If this is so, do not be afraid to respond to the Instagram story! To make sure you stand out from the crowd, consider using Quicktools’ social media bio generator to craft an eye-catching bio that captures your best attributes.
LinkedIn
I really don’t think I need to get into this and its importance in the job hunt, now do I?! If you don’t have a LinkedIn page yet and you are looking for a job, make a LinkedIn page and start connecting with people you may know!
Beyond Finding Out About Jobs
In addition to finding out about jobs, following the companies you are interested in working in on social media gives you insight into what it’s like working there. This will help you see whether it’s a place you will thrive working for. It will also help you in your interview. You can reference events, initiatives, blogs, thought pieces, employee experience, and so on in your interview because you will already know about it from the things you have seen on their social media pages. You’ll have a leg up in the interview process and show that you have done your research and care about the company.
It is important to keep your social media pages up to date and clean too. Let your connections know if you are looking for a job! Do not be afraid to put it out there in the universe. You never know who will see the post and respond to it. You have nothing to lose by tweeting, posting a status update, or sharing to your stories that you are open to work and looking for a new role. Just be mindful that if you are sharing this on social media and you are currently working somewhere, they first know you are looking.
Social media is a great tool for building connections and keeping in touch, and that includes in the job hunt. If you are not already using social media in your job hunt, now is the time to start.
About the Author
Michelle graduated from Fordham University with a Bachelors of Arts '13 and a Master of Arts '14. She's currently working in corporate America with a side of freelance writing. She wants you to learn from her experiences and mistakes so your 20s can be your best decade. When she's not working, she's likely planning her escape to a tropical island.