Social media: Use it wisely for job opportunities

Looking for work? Tap into social media to expand your possibilities and increase your chances of finding that perfect job.

Here are some frequently asked questions and answers covering social media and your job search.

Why use social media?

The benefits of using social media when searching for work are far-reaching:

• being on social media heightens your visibility to decision-makers, hiring managers, recruiters and network connections who may know of job possibilities that suit your skills
• more and more employers use social media sites to advertise positions and recruit – indeed, the percentage who do so is high
• recruiters search on social media continuously for top talent, including for positions that aren’t publicly posted
• being on social media demonstrates you’re clued into online usage, an important skill in today’s work world
• connecting online links you to opportunities that may not be posted on job boards
• researching on social media gives you valuable insights into organisations looking to recruit and positions that might be right for you
• promoting yourself and your brand on social media is a great way to build professional networks
• being active on social media is a fast way to find influential people.

What social media platforms should I use?

The social media platforms you should use depends on the type of work you’re looking for. Certainly, LinkedIn is considered the pre-eminent professional platform, but don’t discount X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook which also rate highly. Even Instagram can be effective, especially if this platform is widely used by the organisation or industry you’re looking to work for.

If you want a role in fashion, for example, Instagram and Facebook are highly relevant. If you’re looking to work in consulting or professional services, think about LinkedIn, Facebook and X.

How do I get started?

• sign up
• start posting and marketing yourself
• connect with others
• join relevant groups
• stay plugged in
• share interesting content
• keep content current and relevant
• have a quality profile and photo
• remove previous content that is not what you want to reflect to a prospective employer—you can even Google yourself to see what pops up and do some tidying up.

Do employers really look at social media when sourcing candidates?

Yes, employers do look at social media, and increasingly so. Indeed, LinkedIn says that a whopping 70% of employers will screen applicants according to their digital footprint.

This is why it’s good to:

• invest time into developing your online profile
• ensure your profile communicates who you are and what you can do
• develop a profile that showcases what makes you stand out based on your skills, talent, experience and interests
• cleanse your social media platforms or adjust your security settings so certain content can’t be spotted.

Check out this face2face expert article: Do employers look at social media profiles?

What type of research should I conduct through social media?

When applying for a position, research to see if the organisation has an online presence (chances are they will). Then examine how they present themselves visually and through content:

• What key messages are they sharing?
• What does their culture look like?
• What does their branding say?
• Who features in posts?

Also, research individuals and influencers in the organisation on their online profiles (especially important with LinkedIn).

It goes unsaid you’ll also want to dive into the company’s website for an in-depth look.

Read: Looking for work? Research company websites

How can I shine on LinkedIn?

If you’re in the professional space, it’s essential to be on LinkedIn. This is a large, reputable and widely used directory of professionals, which many companies use to find candidates and many candidates use to find job opportunities.

Here’s more information:

Does your LinkedIn profile shine?

Can a recruiter find you on LinkedIn?

How do I build a personal brand on social media?

These tips will help you build an effective personal brand on social media:

• Be positive but professional with content—does a prospective employer need to learn about your radical, extremist political views? The answer is no.
• Be professional with visual presentation—does a prospective employer need to see you sunbaking on a beach? The answer is no.
• Stay relevant with content—does a prospective employer want to see you chugging down a beer at a wild party? The answer is no.
• Be engaging and authentic—does a prospective employer want to see a ‘fake you’ on your social media? The answer is no.
• Ensure you remain consistent with voice, image and tone—does a prospective employer want to be confused about who you are after scouting your social media presence? The answer is no.

Read this expert article for further insights: Social media and your workplace.

Stay in tune

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