When you’re searching for a job, you may not realise that your chances of impressing a new employer and your social media profile are usually connected. That’s because – according to recent surveys – almost 80% of companies use social networking sites to find out more about job candidates.
Additional data from the survey revealed that 53% of hiring managers wanted to see if an applicant had a professional online persona, 30% wanted to see what other people were posting about the candidate, and 21% admitted they were looking for reasons not to hire them.
What social media dos and don’ts should you have in mind whilst looking for a job?
- DO – use the power of social media to network – so, if you know someone who has a link which could lead to a job, use social media to communicate with them and ask if they’d help you.
- DO – like and follow businesses who work in the industry you want to get into. From time to time, companies may use social media to advertise their job openings, so it’s worth keeping an eye on any updates.
- DO – use social media to let people know you’re looking for a job and ask for their advice. Whilst you may find it difficult to let others know you’re jobless, having more than one person looking out for opportunities for you will enhance the speed at which you find a job
- DON’T – post an update on your social media profile without considering who might be looking. If you’re posting status updates full of foul language, or photos of you acting irresponsibly on nights out, consider how this might negatively influence their opinion of a potential employer who has looked you up
- DON’T – think that the image you choose as your profile photo doesn’t matter – it does! If you want to be taken seriously by an employer, pick a photo which looks professional and portrays you in a sensible manner
- DON’T – rely solely on social media to get a job. You’ll need to complement your job hunt utilizing other means, such as visiting online job boards and reaching out to prospective companies to ask if they’d consider taking your CV
Now you know that employers are frequently using social media to find out more about new candidates, make sure you use your social media accounts in the best way so that it leaves a great first impression and helps you land that dream job!
