Following the bursting of the ‘dotcom’ bubble, job seeking, like the rest of our way of life, has revolutionized. Your parents would recall carrying large folders and presentation cases stuffed with bulging educational and work certificates from office to office in pursuit of a job. According to AARP, the job search process was very different two decades ago than it is now.

Newspaper ads were the primary source of job postings at that time, and applicants had to send their resumes in paper version via mail or bring in person. The assessors were also humans, and the interview was not very complicated.

However, online job postings have nearly entirely replaced newspaper advertisements, and there’s a reasonable probability that an AI-driven software will scan your resume for relevant keywords first. But did you know that, in the midst of it all, social media has taken on a significant role?

Is social media advantageous when looking for a job?

Social media platforms have morphed into more than just social networking and entertainment platforms. Online job listings have become increasingly prevalent on the platforms, and many people have been hired as a result. Similarly, several candidates are turned down owing to their inappropriate social media activities. Why do you think that is? Here are a couple of more interesting statistics:

  • Clutch reveals that 1/10 people successfully find jobs through social media.
  • 92% of businesses use social media to hire people.
  • 70% of managers found ideal candidates through social media as per Betterteam.
  • A whopping 71% of talent hunters believe social media hiring saves time.
  • Glassdoor also states that 79% of job seekers use social media to find appropriate jobs.
  • About 73% of millennials found their existing jobs through social media.

And the list is endless! But there’s a catch: social media is a two-edged blade. If not used appropriately, it does more harm than good. So what do you do? Read on.

How to use social media for a job hunt

Know that online job search and hiring process reciprocate. Hence, you need to think both ways. While you are searching for the ideal company, your ideal company is also searching for an ideal candidate. And you should prepare while keeping the latter in mind.

Use appropriate platforms

While social media marketing can be done on almost every platform, a job search is a bit of a different story. In fact, there are a few platforms that reap better results. Using platforms like Twitter for #nowhiring tags can be useful, but the ultimate king is LinkedIn. The latter is the world’s most preferred platform and network for professionals and businesses alike.

When used wisely, the platform can open the doors of opportunities that you would not even have imagined. The platform not only allows you to initiate and strengthen professional relationships and find appropriate jobs but also allows you to enhance your skills through various courses.  It is also a perfect site to showcase your achievements, work history, and educational attainments. As of July 20th, 2021, there were 55 million companies on LinkedIn and 14 million job openings (Kinsta).

Additionally, Facebook is also a major player. While LinkedIn is primarily a network of professionals, Facebook is an all-rounder. It serves almost every need from marketing to entertainment to job search.

Ideally, we suggest you use these two platforms to look for jobs.

Perfect profile

However, looking for a job on the appropriate platform is only a first move. It won’t get you very far if you do not have a professional-looking profile. Once you apply for a job through these platforms, the first thing the recruiter will check is your social media presence and discipline. Therefore, you need to be wary of your posts, language, and tone.

Also, a complete profile with updated work information will be a great advantage. Once an employer matches the information on your online resume with the one on your profile, they will be more at peace regarding the data’s genuineness.  

Build and promote your personal brand

Until now, it is very clear that a prospective employer will scrutinize your profile. However, did you know that promoting your personal brand through your own social media will be a great advantage?

The goal is to demonstrate to a potential employer your talents, projects executed, industry expertise, and perspectives on industry challenges. You can achieve the aforementioned goal by forming an online portfolio or a blogging site. Keep it formal and proficient by including all of your professional information. Then, on social media, promote the site so that the employer finds it.

Networking is the key

Another way social media can help you in your job search is by building strong networks with professionals and their companies. Start off by following the company or the professional and then actively participate in business discussions. Your comments should be articulate and set you unique and knowledgeable amongst the rest.

Once you have been noticed by the appropriate person, take discussions from the comments section to a personal level. If their official inbox is too jam-packed, use Nuwber to attain their contact details and contact the person through their personal number or email address. Once you have established a friendship, you may invite them for coffee and discuss a few ideas you might have. Go with the flow after that.

Don’t be desperate

You need to maintain professionalism and retain your dignity. Do not keep on posting several comments asking (more like begging) the company to hire you. This will only downgrade your image and make you seem desperate. Just follow the aforementioned steps and while waiting, stay positive.

Conclusion

All in all, social media can greatly assist in your job hunt, but you must exercise caution because any misstep could backfire. The goal is to find the proper firm, appear competent and informed, and then land the perfect position. Overdoing things or doing them wrongly could have severe consequences. The above tips will be quite useful in this regard.