Looking for a job? Get social!

Social media isn’t all bad – make it work for your next job hunt.

LinkedIn has revolutionised the way we network and hire. But are other social media platforms important too?

The simple answer is, yes, they can be. Here’s how.

Recruiters check your socials

According to one study, 70 per cent of HR professionals screen potential candidates by checking their social media accounts.

What does this mean for you and your job hunting? Well, it means you might want to keep it clean.

Do a quick audit of your socials and make sure there’s nothing too personal or inappropriate on there – think drunken selfies, those posts where you admit you’re chucking a sickie, and sexist, racist or discriminatory comments (though of course, it’s better to just not make those in the first place!)

Stand out from the crowd

But the fact that recruiters check your socials can also be a benefit to you.

Depending on your industry, having a prominent social media presence can be important.

Working in the arts space? An online portfolio or social media account where you share your art is vital for reaching an audience, and recruiters will likely be impressed.

A burgeoning advocate who uses TikTok to connect with a younger audience, for example, could be looked on favourably. Build that profile and get promoting!

Network like a pro

LinkedIn has been the go-to networking site for professionals for many years now, but the same process can be conducted on other social media platforms.

Twitter is useful for people in advocacy or communications, where you’ll find many like-minded people ready to share their views and opinions, and hear yours.

Even Facebook can be useful here – using your professional portfolio (see above!) you can link with businesses and others in your field for a conversation – and potentially, a new job opportunity.

Find your next role

Some companies do hire through social media. LinkedIn, with its jobs board, is the obvious options – but employers have been known to put callouts on other platforms too, including Twitter and Facebook.

Make sure you follow your next dream employer to keep an eye on what they’re doing, and jump on that ad the next time they share it.

Keeping an eye on their socials will also benefit you when you’re hit with that classic interview question, ‘what do you know about us’ – impress them with your knowledge of the company’s recent activities!

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