How to Use Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to Land Your Dream Job

More job seekers around the world are using social media to gain employment, but the savviest candidates are deploying a unique mix of tools to stay ahead of the professional pack. According to a recent study on the intersection of social media and employment, social media are becoming salient arrows in candidates’ search quivers. Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter are still atop the list of social networks used for employment purposes, but Google+ and other emerging networks also are gaining prominence. To effectively use social media to advance professionally, you should write a comprehensive yet captivating résumé. rnSeek the guidance of a wordsmith, such as a professional résumé or personal bio writer. Second, maintain a profile on at least one social network, preferably Facebook or LinkedIn. Third, create a personal web page where you can upload your professional information, a smart move because recruiters increasingly are searching for candidates via social networks. The study also highlighted the importance of an interactive résumé, that is, one featuring everything from video and audio to infographics such as graphs, charts and drawings. Finally, watch what you post on social media, because recruiters are increasingly crawling candidates’ Web data before, during and after the recruitment process. People get fired for inappropriate content, whether it relates to sex, alcohol or nudity. Here are the study’s highlights: Social job seekers are more efficient and effective in their search—so maintain an account at least on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Hire a professional to write your résumé, interview cheat sheet, cover letter, personal bio and LinkedIn profile—the investment is worth it. Recruiters are getting more socially savvy—and they pay attention to candidates’ online lives. They like people who keep their social-media page “clean,” engage in volunteer work, and donate money and other resources to noteworthy causes. Watch what you post on social media—you might get fired (or never get hired) for offensive, illegal or otherwise improper content. Companies increasingly hire passive candidates—so polish your online résumé even if you’re not active on the job market. An interactive résumé—that is, one featuring video, audio or infographics—will set you apart from other candidates and boost your employment chances. Maintain a personal website if you can, but make sure it’s accessible via mobile devices—recruiters are increasingly using handheld devices to scan candidates’ CVs. Beef up your LinkedIn profile and actively solicit endorsements and recommendations from industry luminaries, co-workers, past and current supervisors, and others who know you well. On LinkedIn, write an attention-grabbing, professional headline—Google loves that and will reward you with good positioning in search results.