These days, most anyone can say that social media play a key role in job search. Thus, if you still have no social media profile, here’s what you’ve been missing.
Why Employers Prefer Social Networking
Due to the surge in global connectivity and social media, splitting professional and personal personas has now become harder for most job hunters. When these two paths cross, employers use it as a chance to check for any discrepancy or warning sign outside the resume of a job seeker. They use the social media profiles of applicants as basis for selecting the most fitting person for the job. As a result, it has become important for job seekers like you to go over your social media account and contacts.
In addition, social networking gives job seekers the chance to learn more about their target firms. Then again, it lets you connect with current and former workmates, too, to get updates on job openings at once.
Why Make a Social Media Profile
“Out of more than 2,000 hiring managers and HR professionals and more than 3,000 full-time U.S. workers, 60 percent of employers revealed that they use social networking sites to research job candidates. This is up significantly from 52 percent last year, 22 percent in 2008 and 11 percent in 2006, when the survey was first conducted. Additionally, 59 percent of hiring managers use search engines to research candidates – compared to 51 percent last year” (CareerBuilder, 2016).
Unlike old hiring methods, social networking has opened doors to various job opportunities. A professional social media profile links you up to hundreds of people through your friends and acquaintances. Depending on the scale of your social networking status, you can build a great contact list, through which you can keep yourself informed of new job openings available. Your friends may post or share opportunities through their friends; thus, you can filter many happenings at your fingertips.
How to Keep Your Digital Presence
1. Build a potent online brand for yourself.
2. Use your headline to flaunt your skills.
3. Position yourself as an expert in your field.
4. Check for discrepancies between your resume and your social media profile.
5. Keep your profile up-to-date.
6. Join LinkedIn and Facebook groups relevant to your future work, field, and employer(s).
7. Place your LinkedIn address in the signature block of your e-mails.
8. Make sure your account is “public”, so recruiters will have no trouble finding your LinkedIn profile on Google, Bing, etc.
9. Devote a Facebook page to your work as a pro, aside from your profile, and use it for your job search.
In fact, cleaning up your social media profile shouldn’t be just a one-time deal. Look at it as an extension of your personal image that needs frequent grooming and care. Bosses and hiring staff review job seekers and current employees often for various reasons. By taking control of your own digital footprint, you’re getting a step toward career success.
If you need help with social media profile creation, updating, or optimization try Smart Resume Services. Visit our service page for more details on our offers.
Sources: careerbuilder.com | clearrock.com | blog.worldcampus.psu.edu | forbes.com | socialmediaclub.org