Social media isn’t a part of a job search. With the intention to discover a job, you solely want a resume, enterprise playing cards, and a pleasant swimsuit. Proper? This was true – if you happen to have been on the lookout for a job in 2001.
In immediately’s wired world, there are such a lot of extra choices accessible to you. Why not strive them? In any case, submitting your resume blindly simply isn’t working. If you wish to strive one thing new, social media is a good place to begin.
Palms down, one of the best social media website for the job seeker is LinkedIn. It’s an extension of your resume and a Rolodex of your contacts all rolled into one. I usually hear the query, “Do I really want a LinkedIn web page?” The brief reply is sure. LinkedIn is free and it means that you can determine how a lot you share and with whom you need to join. In truth, there are estimated to be half a billion customers on LinkedIn from over 200 nations.
Use LinkedIn to broaden in your resume, connect with previous colleagues, and develop your community. The LinkedIn search device is a good way to search out (and to attach with) your future boss. It may also be a good way to study who else works at your goal firm.
However, don’t cease there. I’ve been impressed on the variety of enterprise executives who use Twitter. It’s not unusual to tweet to somebody within the C-suite, and to truly obtain an actual response. It may be an sudden solution to develop a brand new relationship.
One other website chances are you’ll need to take into account if you happen to’re in a artistic subject is YouTube. An promoting company CEO as soon as shared with me that a few of her most spectacular candidates submitted a brief video about themselves through YouTube. It helped them to get the company’s consideration in a sea of different purposes.
The one social media I’d suppose twice about utilizing is Fb. Fb has lengthy been thought of a non-public area to attach with family and friends. In truth, if you happen to ship a stranger a direct message, Fb will sometimes filter it out of their inbox by default. That signifies that the particular person might by no means see your message. So, earlier than utilizing Fb, strive different social media websites.
Utilizing social media in your job search may give you a leg up in your competitors. It may well additionally assist you to form your on-line presence. In any case, when an organization searches on your title on Google, your social media pages are sure to be the very first thing that pops up. Consider Google search outcomes like the brand new cowl letter. Your social media pages inform a private narrative about you and your beliefs.
Don’t fear an excessive amount of about bothering the particular person you’re contacting through LinkedIn or Twitter. Social media is simply one other type of communication, just like electronic mail or cellphone. Be skilled and well mannered and also you’ll discover a completely new solution to develop your community. It’s far simpler than blindly submitting an utility on an internet site.
Angela Copeland is a Profession Coach and Founding father of Copeland Teaching and will be reached at CopelandCoaching.com or on Twitter at @CopelandCoach.
