The Best Ways to Utilize Social Media for Job Search

The Best Ways to Utilize Social Media for Job Search Photo Credit â€" ywforward.orgSocial tools have infiltrated every aspect of our lives. Whether it is reaching out to our long lost friends, setting up an event or performing essential functions like searching jobs, social media has found a way to get involved in pretty much everything we do.Here are some tips to get a job using social media.Right from the beginning of this decade, everyone is talking about the new ways in which social media can be used. Sites like Facebook and Twitter are already a non-replaceable way of connecting with our friends, making new connections, following the prevailing global trends, and getting the wind of latest news.evalNow recent studies have revealed that social media tools are also helping job-seekers to find new employment opportunity. In fact, one in every six job seekers uses one of the various social media sites to land a new job.More than half of the recruiters all over the world check the social media profiles of their prospective employees to verify the quality of their hire. It is clear that job searching is one of the latest applications of social media sites. But how exactly should you do that?1. Create Professional, Relevant profilesevalThe first step is, obviously, to create a complete profile on LinkedIn, the professional social network. The information should include a summary of your entire employment history, a chronological record of your jobs and academic record.LinkedIn has separate profile sections for achievements, and skills which should be filled accordingly. A section that most people ignore on LinkedIn is the profile picture, with some uploading a holiday shot of them with their dear ones and others ignoring it entirely. A bad profile picture is an instant turn off for the recruiter.2. Clean up your existing profilesAs important it is to create a new profile, so is to “tidy up” the existing profiles on various social networks like Facebook and others. Go through each of the section and make sure no incriminating information is visible to a potential employer which could have effect on your chances of landing a new job.Always have this in mind that the persona being projected through social media sites acts as the first impression on your employer. Besides, there are ample privacy controls provided by these social networks which must be used judiciously.3. Let your network know that you’re job-huntingYou spent hours building a network of thousands of individuals on social networks like LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. Now is the right time to test the usefulness of this network. Post on these social media sites that you are looking for a new job.evalAlso include the details of the kind of opportunity you are seeking. Even if your connections do not know of any job openings right now, once they know that you are open for a change, some of them might contact you when a suitable position opens up.However, be cautious as some of your existing connections might also include people from your current organization. You obviously do not want your manager to know that you are planning to leave the company.3. Grow your networkWhen we look beyond the usual connect, message and share features of social networking sites, we will find that most of these websites have many different elements which can be of great use for increasing your reach.LinkedIn and Facebook have Groups, an excellent place to connect people within your industry and having similar professional credentials as you. Search for relevant groups in your industry and join the groups that have a thriving discussion going on. Become a part of that discussion and become known as a source of informative content.3. Have your own blog/WebsiteevalevalMarketing your skills and knowledge through a blog or website is an innovative and highly impressive effort. Although it is a bit time consuming initiative but the fruits of your efforts will be immensely in your favor.The blog will contain matter related to your w ork field of choice. Later you can share these blog posts within your network. However, make sure that your blog posts reflect a certain experience level and knowledge about the subject.4. ResearchSocial media presents a very easy way of knowing about new companies, people working there and the events that the companies conducts, the kind of relationship employer has with its employees. Using social media to research this information will require some basic steps such as following or liking the official pages of companies on Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook.Most tech savvy organizations today regularly update their official page with information regarding hiring activities, and other employee events which can provide an insight regarding the work environment at that place.In addition, if the company’s CEO is a major social influencer, there is no harm in following his official page as well. His posts will aware you regarding the direction of leadership and whether it matches with you r own thought process and ideals or not.Bottom line:There is no denying the fact that social media is an important vehicle for driving oneself towards success in the current digital age. Whether it is job-hunting or self-promotion, the usefulness of social media tools is only going to increase in future.Early adopters will definitely stand to gain most while those who keep denying these benefits to themselves will have nothing but an empty regret.