28 Jun

Close to 4.6 billion people around the world use social media, which is about half the global population. They spend about 2 hrs and 24 mins every day on an average of 7 social media platforms. 25% of Internet users aged 16 to 64 use social media for professional purposes. Another report indicates that 84% of organisations use social media for recruitment purposes.

Social media has transformed the way people interact with each other and how businesses operate. With over 800 million users, platforms like LinkedIn have revolutionised the job search process and created new opportunities for people to connect with potential employers. With the right approach, social media can be a powerful tool for job seekers looking to land their dream job. In this article, we will explore how social media can help people in landing jobs.

Building a personal brand

Management Guru Tom Peters says it as it is, “Regardless of age, regardless of position, regardless of the business we happen to be in, all of us need to understand the importance of branding. We are CEOs of our own companies: Me Inc. To be in business today, our most important job is to be head marketer for the brand called You”.

One of the most important aspects of social media in the job search process is building a personal brand. A personal brand is the way a person presents themselves to the world. It is a combination of their skills, experience, personality, and values. Social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram provide job seekers with an opportunity to create a professional online presence that showcases their personal brand.

LinkedIn is the most popular social media platform for professional networking. It provides users with an opportunity to create a profile that highlights their skills, experience, and education. LinkedIn also offers a job search feature that allows users to search for open positions by job title, company, and location.

When creating a LinkedIn profile, it is important to highlight your experience, skills, and accomplishments. Use keywords that are relevant to the job you are looking for to increase your chances of appearing in search results. Your profile should be professional and engaging, and include a professional headshot.

Twitter and Instagram are also useful platforms for building a personal brand. While they are less professional than LinkedIn, they provide users with an opportunity to showcase their personality and interests. For example, a graphic designer might use Instagram to showcase their portfolio and creative process. A writer might use Twitter to share their thoughts and engage with other writers in their field.

Also read: Level up your career: Build a powerful personal brand

Networking

One interesting study found that of all applications, only 7% come from referrals of employees but they form 40% of all hiring. Referral-based applications, therefore, have the highest success ratio among hiring process conversions.

Social media provides job seekers with an opportunity to network with professionals in their field. LinkedIn is the most popular platform for professional networking, but Twitter and Instagram can also be useful for building connections. Networking can help job seekers learn about open positions and get referrals to hiring managers.

When networking on social media, it is important to be professional and respectful. Connect with professionals in your field and engage with their content. Comment on their posts and share their content with your own followers. This will help you build relationships with people in your industry.

Networking on social media can also help job seekers learn about open positions. Follow companies that you are interested in working for and engage with their content. Many companies post job openings on their social media pages, so this can be a great way to stay up-to-date on available positions.

Researching companies

Social media provides job seekers with an opportunity to research companies they are interested in working for. By following a company on social media, job seekers can learn about their culture, values, and priorities. This information can help job seekers tailor their application materials and prepare for interviews.

For example, if a company posts a lot of content about its commitment to sustainability, a job seeker might mention their own interest in sustainability in their cover letter. If a company frequently shares content about its employee wellness program, a job seeker might ask about the program during an interview.

Staying up-to-date on industry trends

Social media provides job seekers with an opportunity to stay up-to-date on industry trends. Following thought leaders and influencers in your field can help you learn about new technologies, trends, and best practices. This information can help you prepare for interviews and demonstrate your knowledge and expertise to potential employers.

For example, a job seeker in the marketing industry might follow industry leaders on Twitter to learn about new social media marketing strategies. A job seeker in the tech industry might follow influencers on LinkedIn to learn about new technologies and programming languages.

Showcasing your work

"If people like you they will listen to you, but if they trust you, they’ll do business with you."  - Zig Ziglar

Social media provides job seekers with an opportunity to showcase their work. LinkedIn allows users to upload their resume, cover letter, and other application materials to their profile. 

Job seekers can use social media to promote their portfolio websites, where they can showcase their work and demonstrate their skills. Platforms such as Behance, Dribbble, and GitHub are popular options for designers, developers, and other creative professionals. Instagram and Pinterest are great for showcasing visual content such as graphic design, photography, and art.

Overall, social media can be a valuable tool for job seekers to showcase their work and demonstrate their skills and expertise. By using a variety of platforms and strategies, job seekers can build their personal brand, establish themselves as thought leaders in their field, and attract potential employers.

While traditional job applications and resumes will always remain important when trying to land a job, it is clear that social media can provide an additional platform for you to showcase your skills, experiences, and qualifications. Employers are increasingly using social media as part of their recruitment strategy so having a strong presence online could be the deciding factor in landing your next dream job. We hope our tips have helped you understand how leveraging the power of social media can help take your career ambitions to the next level!

Also read: Future-proof your career: How to stay relevant in the changing job market