How Your Knowledge of Social Media and Web Browsing Can Help You Get Hired

Are you social media-savvy, super skilled at browsing the web? That knowledge can help you land your next job. You’ve probably heard the idea that the majority of open positions are never advertised, and most are filled via word-of-mouth before the company ever needs to post an ad. Social media has broadened the scope of word-of-mouth marketing, so you can put your skills to work to find out about upcoming openings before your competition does.

Job-Seekers, Recruiters and Hiring Managers Connect Online

Social media is more than just an outlet for casual conversation—it’s become a place to have your talents discovered. LinkedIn is a social network geared towards professionals, with plenty of opportunities to highlight your skills and expertise to potential employers. Recruiters are increasingly turning to LinkedIn to search for experienced consultants and professionals to fill positions. Even Facebook allows users to post their employment history, which can catch the eye of a manager seeking a qualified candidate. You can capitalize on most social networks for job-searching and career networking. The major social networks have distinct advantages for job seekers:

• LinkedIn – Post your resume, highlight your skills and answer industry-related questions to demonstrate your expertise. LinkedIn also allows users to post publications and presentations for public view, which can serve as a virtual portfolio. Connect with companies and executives who work in your industry.
• Facebook – Post your employment history along with descriptions of your job duties and skills. You can also highlight your education background. Let your contacts know you’re on the hunt for a new job.
• Twitter – Show off your industry knowledge by engaging in conversations with relevant thought leaders. Follow companies you’d like to work for, executives and recruiters to be among the first to know about potential job openings.

Social Media for Job Hunting

Social media eliminates the geographical barriers that used to exist in networking. Relocating to a new city? You can connect with potential employers without ever leaving your office, and possibly secure your next position before you start to pack your belongings. Social media also provides an outlet for getting the word out to your contacts that you’re on the hunt for your next job. Ask for recommendations from former colleagues, find out if your contacts know of any open positions in your area, and even get introduced to a hiring manager through a mutual friend.

Moving Beyond the Job Boards

Some of the major job boards have become spam-ridden, with endless posts seeking candidates for “work-from-home” positions. While a few may be legit, many are complete ruses or pyramid schemes. That’s why job seekers are starting to look beyond the online job boards to seek career opportunities. If you’re skilled at browsing the web, you can capitalize on your search prowess to locate desirable companies, find open positions that aren’t posted on national job boards, and even get contact information for managers and recruiters. Get creative with your search terms to include cities, specific job titles, skills and other terms that will help you drill down to finding the ideal job.

Social Media and Web Browsing are Valuable Career Skills

Beyond the idea that you can use social media and the web to find your next candidate or your next job, these skills prove valuable in a variety of careers in today’s competitive business world. Businesses are always looking for candidates with versatile skillsets, and social media knowledge is in high demand. If an employer finds you via social media, you’ve already proven that you’ve got the know-how to set up a sophisticated, visually appealing profile—which might just be that extra something that lands you the job over the next candidate. Likewise, if you’ve gone above and beyond to find out about an available job that wasn’t posted, your future employer will likely be impressed by your research capabilities. There’s no question that the Internet, especially social networking, has changed the job search. Gone are the days of printing dozens of resumes and stuffing envelopes in hopes of landing your next job. Today, you can do it all—and even interview—via the web. Put your web browsing and social media knowledge to work for yourself and land your dream job.