How to Use Social Media in Your Job Search

Social media has is playing a vital role in boosting job search. Are you too benefiting from the popular social networking tools that have become a rage these days? Well, not only jobseekers but employers as well are garnering the benefits of social media for finding suitable candidates. Among other social media platforms, Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin are the three most popular social networking websites that you can use to boost your job searching process. To make the most of these social networking tools, you need to be informed of the strategic ways for networking your way into a job or career of your interest. Given below are some important tips on how to use social media for maximum benefit in your job search. Have a look. Let People Know You Are Searching for a Job It is a good idea to keep people in your network informed that you are looking for a job. It’s even better to let them know what type of job you are looking for. Whether you are using Facebook, Twitter or Linkedin, tell people that you in search of a job position. If you keep them informed, they will keep you in mind and tell you as soon as a new position opens up. The job information that you get from your contacts can really boost your job search. Don’t Be Afraid of Networking with Friends on Facebook As compared to social media websites like Twitter and Linkedin, Facebook happens to be more powerful when it comes to connecting with friends, co-workers and colleagues. Friends that know you on Facebook will be more helpful in finding you a job you are looking for or providing you with some valuable job related information. Spend some good networking with friends on Facebook. Make Your Facebook Profile Private The profile information that you fill out on Facebook is visible to everyone by default. If you don’t want employers to see your personal updates, you can set your profile to private. All you need to do is go to ‘Account’, click Privacy Settings and choose ‘Friends Only’. In this way, only those with who you are friends on Facebook will be able to see your personal updates and profile information. Search for Information about Hiring Managers These days almost every large employer is on Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin. To boost your job hunting, you can first find information about the employers you have targeted. Smart employers will certainly keep their Facebook profile private. However, you can search for the information on other social networking websites and be informed about the new job openings coming up. In addition, you can dig out more valuable details about your targeted employers. Hyperlink Your Resume Also remember to add the link to your personal profile on Twitter and Linkedin. This helps employers to find your contact information if they are willing to get in touch with you. Don’t add a link to your Facebook profile, as it is private available only to your friends. Keeping profile information on Facebook private also shows employers that you are internet savvy. Many employers appreciate this skill. Create Facebook Lists Facebook allows users to create multiple lists, according to individual requirements. So you can create separate lists for friends and professional contacts. In this way, your professional contacts will have access to only that information that you want them to see. To create a new list on Facebook, you can go to Account, then Friends and then click Create a New List. Facebook allows you to set your privacy settings according to your requirements. This is a good strategy to be adopted by jobseekers in search of jobs. Get Found on Google If you want employers to find relevant information when they Google your name, you need to be active on all the above mentioned social media websites including Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin. Fill out your profile information on all these sites carefully including the industry-related keywords as well. If you have a completely filled out job profile on these sites, employers will find your profile information in the top Google rankings. So, if you haven’t yet created your profiles on popular social media sites, go and create the same now. At the same time be active on the networks and spend some good time connecting with your network of friends for maximum job search benefits.