Social Media and your Job Search

Despite the on-going debate on whether social media actually hinders or aids your job search, statistics have shown that 73% of 18 to 34 year olds, found their last job through a social network. In addition, another report revealed that 89% of employers agreed to having hired someone through LinkedIn. The social networking site, LinkedIn has firmly taken the lead in being the most popular social media site in which to find employment.

So the question is job seeker.... do you have a LinkedIn profile?
No? then you may want to set one up...

For further information and advice on setting up a great LinkedIn profile please see blog post, "Is your Linkedin profile up to scratch?"

So what are the advantages of using social media?

Social media sites work well for both employees and employers when it come to finding the perfect job or the perfect candidate.  Social media sites give employers the opportunity to get a much clearer idea of what kind of person you are, rather than just focusing on you CV. With this mind, it is not necessary to register with everything single social media site, just the main ones will do. The main 3 you should be registered with is most importantly LinkedIn as it is particularly useful with aiding your job search. This is closely followed by Facebook and Twitter.

However, it is important that you represent yourself in the best possible way. It is perhaps a good idea to ensure that your social media profiles outline the type of job you are looking for. Studies carried out by Forbes have revealed that 92% of companies use social media for hiring and that 3 out of 4 hiring mangers will check a potential candidates social media profile. As a result, it is perhaps advisable to look at your social media as your own personal branding. This means however, that your profile needs to come across consistently professional.

Social media can often make the research process for jobseekers much easier. Social media networks give you the opportunity to follow relevant industries, companies and job boards so that you are instantly aware of any changes or news which may be relevant to your search. Read plenty of tweets or Facebook and LinkedIn posts related to your area of interest as you never know when you will come across the perfect job opportunity.

Social media beware?

Although we have just told you how great social media can be when it comes to your job search, it is also something that you should be wary of. Firstly, too much personal information can mean unprofessional rather than the 'professional' appearance you are aiming for. Many people think that too much personal information is available via social media which means it could possibly take away or distract potential employers from your professional appearance.

Oh and don't forget the all important profile picture. Inappropriate profile pictures will make any potential employers look elsewhere. Always present yourself in the best possible way, and avoid using photos that will give the employer a negative first impression of you.

Finally, avoid mentioning previous employers, especially in a negative way. Employers will often use what you post as a way of judging you. A negative or inappropriate comment could result in your chances of finding a job being dramatically decreased.