Blog

Social media is all the rage. Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and more seem everywhere. In social media like these, we get constant updates about the relevant and not-so-relevant aspects of everyone’s lives. Here, we’ll consider a practical application of social media: finding your next job. 

Social media gives you great tools for sharing information electronically with a potentially huge audience.  

Try these strategies to help you land a great job: 

1. Focus your attention on people instead of companies. For instance, if you’re interested in a particular company, look at blogs and Facebook for people who work there. You’re also likely to see the other people they know. Maybe you share an acquaintance or two. You can submit resumes to them, ask for advice, and get more contacts. 

• You’ll want to be subtle; people are unlikely to be happy about being bombarded with job requests on their own time. By starting with a few non-intrusive messages, you should be able to make in-roads toward your goal. 

2. Start a blog. By putting out content that showcases your knowledge and expertise, people will begin to see you as an expert. Blogs are easy to start, and many websites will host yours for free. Other than the work involved, it’s free advertising for your skills. 

3. Use Twitter. It’s becoming common to hear stories of people getting laid off, sending out a few Tweets proclaiming their new unfortunate job status, and ultimately finding a new position due to their Tweets.  

• With Twitter, word spreads quickly. 
   

• Companies are also beginning to use this tool for this exact reason. Recruiters use Twitter to announce positions and give updates. 

• Here’s a quick Twitter tutorial:  
   

1. Go to Twitter.com and complete your profile, including a professional photo of yourself. 
    

2. Follow everyone you know. Also, follow everyone who appears to be in a position to help you find a job. 
    

3. Tweet away. 

1. Take advantage of the video. In addition to more usual social media tools, video is becoming increasingly relevant. Upload a video resume to YouTube and let the world know what you can do and want. Check out other video resumes to understand how they format them.  

• When creating a video, keep brevity in mind. Explain your background; describe what you’re looking for and why you’d be the best person for the job. Take your time and get it right – you can rerecord as often needed. 

5. Consider Paid Advertising on Social Media. Also, consider Google AdWords and Facebook advertising to show you’re in job-search mode. You’ll need to make a landing page with your resume to do this. Adding a blog, video resume, and any publications you authored would also be helpful. 

Social media is here to stay, so you might as well use it for something constructive. Finding employment is never enjoyable, but social media can make a difference.  

Never before has the average person had so much capability to reach so many people. Craft your message and get it out there in every way you can.