The Update

Job Seekers And Social Media

Employers are definitely using social media to screen and hire potential candidates. What the internet says about you matters. There’s no one way to build an online presence to land a job, as it differs among industries, experience level and type of company you’re targeting. However, there are some guidelines that can help every job-seeker.

Here are some do’s and don’ts for perfecting your online presence:

Don’t Contradict Your Resume

It’s cathartic to blast a “terrible project” you finished, or your “stupid boss” on Facebook. But if that project’s an accomplishment listed on your resume or your boss is a reference, think before posting. Similarly, make sure nothing in your profile contradicts your resume.

Do Stay Current in Your Field

Professional social media sites like LinkedIn is a great place to build a positive online presence. Your LinkedIn audience is only interested in your professional standing; you can demonstrate that you’re staying current within an emerging subject.

Share articles from professional publications and associations. Participate in discussions about them with others in your field. It’s a great way to build connections with professionals.

Don’t Show Off Your Wild Side

Screen your pictures carefully for signs of hard partying. Check your privacy settings on personal social media sites like Facebook to control the image you present.

Do Let Your Network Know You’re Looking

Tell family and friends you’re looking for work; this can prompt them to share leads and contacts with you. A large 94% of companies surveyed plan to use social media to recruit new employees.

Of particular note should be friends employed at companies you’re watching; they may be privy to job openings and can explain the application process. This can help you custom-tailor an application to get the best chances at the position.

Don’t Sound Desperate

Avoid getting desperate with the occupation fields on social media sites. Give yourself the title you want; if you see yourself in sales, call yourself a salesperson. If you posses a diverse set of skills, title yourself a “communication expert” or “data nerd.”

Don’t be afraid to refer to yourself as “self-employed,” as it’s important to account for your time unemployed.

Do Target Companies on Social Media

“Liking” companies you’re interested in is a great way to stay up to date on information about them. This serves two benefits:

• It lets you know about job openings at the company. If they’re launching a new product line, they’ll likely be doing some hiring, making it a good time to write a letter to the decision-makers.
• It’ll help you out in the interview with that company and in the entire field. You’ll know how this company sells itself and what makes it unique. This will help you craft convincing cover letters and answer tough interview questions.

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