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It goes without saying that LInkedIn is one of the most popular sites for job-hunters to network and find gainful employ. And while other social platforms are a great way of being, well…social, they can also help you land your next job. Writer Fiona Tapp explains how.
If you’re serious about business networking and career advancement, chances are you have a Linkedin account, after all, 433 million of us do. Moving beyond Linkedin, how can you make other social media platforms go to work for you, chasing down leads and making real life connections that can lead to actual gigs?
Almost all companies use social media for hiring, so if you’re not using your social networking accounts to find work then you could be missing out on opportunities. Some of the most popular social media apps commonly utilized for informal mingling, have great opportunities for job hunting but are often overlooked.
Facebook’s unique appeal to job hunters is the infinite number of career-specific groups that give you access to the latest information on companies, including recruitment campaigns. Sue Morin, an Ottawa-based virtual assistant with HBS Business Solutions, finds 80 per cent of her work from Facebook alone and says belonging to groups and networking organizations helps to generate leads. Once she makes a connection, she doesn’t send resumes, she simply refers potential clients to her Linkedin page.
Unlike Linkedin, you don’t need to request a connection for Twitter; you can simply search and follow as many leaders, influencers and advisors in your industry as you like and pay attention to their tweets and any calls to action. Retweeting interesting content shared by others in your field helps to build a community of like-minded professionals, showcases you as a team player and gets your name out there.
Personal websites and portfolios
A personal website or blog is a great self-promotion tool and acts as a constantly evolving resume, if you are able to attract a readership this can portray you as a leader in your field which could impress future employers.
Almost all companies use social media for hiring, so if you’re not using your social networking accounts to find work then you could be missing out on opportunities.
A range of professionals can benefit from having an online portfolio, especially writers and journalists who can organize all of their clips in an attractive format, such as those offered on Journo and Contently. These portfolios also offer contact information, “about me” pages and generally function much like a personal website.
Github
This site allows developers to work on their own code or join communities to work on millions of open source projects, it’s an invaluable marketing platform for coding professionals, as it allows potential employers to see their skills at work.
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There are a whole host of mostly image-based apps – Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat, YouTube and Vine – that allow users to create visual and video resumes, tutorials, demos or auditions to help them get their talents out there. However, with the exception of some high-profile examples, career-boosting potential is limited; a link to further information, such as an online resume, would likely be required.
Whichever platform you decide to use, ensure that all your accounts have a unified look and link to a central call to action; either your portfolio or website or at least contact information in the real world.
Finally, don’t create your accounts and then forget about them! They need to be continually maintained and updated with quality content that presents you as an expert and interests others, continuing to place you as a leader and thinker in your industry.
Fiona is a freelancer and educator. Use social media to find her on twitter and on Facebook. She also has her own website.
Beyond LinkedIn, have you ever used social media to help you find work? We’d like to hear from you! Share your comments below.