Using Social Media for Your Job Search - CareerAlley

Using Social Media for Your Job Search - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. The development and evolution of the internet has mirrored a significant change in the approach job seekers and graduates take when looking for their first professional full-time position. The last decade has seen the traditional and well established approach many job seekers were used to becoming invalid and increasingly unsuccessful. The tried and tested techniques of developing a thorough resume, searching local job centers and submitting your application are long gone. The increased difficulty of finding a job is no secret. Higher levels of candidate competition, the ease of applying to numerous opportunities with a click of the mouse and reduced opportunities in the current job market mean that recruiters and employers can now be more selective when it comes to potential candidates. With this in mind, you may be wondering what you can do to improve your chances of landing a job and, in turn, landing your dream position. Well not to worry, because leveraging social media in your job search plan could be just the answer. For those who are skeptical, finding a job through social media may not be as farfetched as you first believe. The benefits of networking Social networks have become a very important part of the recruitment and job search process. According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), 84% of use social media in their hiring process. Additionally, more than half of all hiring organizations conduct background checks via the use of social networks, such as Facebook. Such findings highlight the importance of keeping a clean profile or risk losing a potential job offer, therefore candidates using social networking sites should view them as more than just a platform to chat to friends and upload embarrassing pictures from the night before. Promotion is one advantage of social networking many candidates dont attain. Websites such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn can all be used to advertise your abilities, successes and qualifications, which in turn could attract potential employers. More Network for your search Contribute to your profession or interests A great way to display your knowledge, professionalism and seriousness is to contribute to existing information and topical interests in your niche. Interaction with decision makers, thought leaders and experts will only improve your visibility on the net. Furthermore such activity could help in building relationships and ensure you are up to date with the latest news and gossip within your industry which can always be used for small talk during an interview in the future. To impress potential employers, you could consider creating a niche specific blog or the development of guest posting articles for industry-leading blogs. Follow, like and build relationships Many businesses human resource departments now advertise jobs through social media platforms to reduce fees and costs associated with recruitment fees. To ensure you are up to date with the latest opportunities and openings follow and like businesses in which you are keen to apply for. In addition to this, it will also improve your knowledge of the company and show that you have a real interest in the businesses culture and ethos. We are always eager to hear from our readers. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions regarding CareerAlley content. Good luck in your search,Joey Google+