Why All Job Seekers Need to Be on Social Media

By Adrianne Bibby

Social media platforms are widely accepted tools in the business world.

No matter how much or how little you use social media, think of it as a way to access the conversation in the global marketplace—and as a job seeker, you definitely want your voice to be heard. Social media helps you control your online image, and establishing a professional presence on social spaces like LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram can help you find (and land!) the perfect job.

If you’re in the market for a new job and aren’t already on social media, here’s why ramping up your presence on social platforms could make a difference in your job search.

4 Reasons for Job Seekers to Be on Social Media

1. It Helps You Showcase Your Talent

Let’s just say it: no matter how creative you get with your resume, it’s formatted in a way to present yourself and your skills to future employers. Although social media requires some adherence to formatting (keeping Tweets to 280 characters, for example), job seekers can take advantage of the many possibilities for showcasing the talent they have to offer.

From blog posts to Tweets, social media can provide an excellent avenue to show what you know. Got a unique or in-depth perspective on a hot topic in your career field? Tweet it, or post your professional opinion on LinkedIn.

Whatever your talent is, find the social media platform that best shows off your professional skills and get active on it. For example, visual artists can take full advantage of the fantastic potential of sites like Pinterest and Instagram to offer samples of their best work. Writers may want to focus on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to share published articles and other written work.

2. It Can Enhance Your Job Search

A job search is a two-way street. At the same time that you’re looking for ways to get your credentials and resume to the marketplace, hiring managers are proactively using social media to screen for the very best candidates for their job openings. Take note: some 91% of recruiters screen job seekers on social media, and 79% have rejected candidates based on their social media content!

3. It Shows You’re Active

Maintaining an active social media profile where you share, like, and comment on relevant topics demonstrates your industry knowledge.

Take things a step beyond simply having a social media presence, though; work toward establishing an online presence that’s professional, savvy, smart, fun, and—most important—offers a real sense of what you have to offer potential employers.

4. It Helps Employers Find You

You’re working hard to find a great job that fits your career goals. At the same time, hiring and recruiting managers are on the hunt for you—potentially the very best candidate for the job. Not being on social media lowers the chances that those employers will find you and reduces your ability to follow and interact with great companies.

And, being on social media enables you to network and connect with people who can lead you toward exactly the job and company you’re looking for. When you have strategies to use social media in your job search in a smart and professional way, you’ve increased the possibility that you’ll find just the right flexible position you’re seeking.

Get Social

Not only does social media enable you to connect with and reach out to potential employers, but companies can also use social platforms to discover you as a top candidate.

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