Using social media when job hunting

Social media is a powerful tool and one that is increasingly important when looking for a job. In a few seconds, recruiters or employers can be finding out all kinds of things about you just from a quick web search and a scroll through your social media profiles. So, if you’re going to be job hunting in the next few months, here are some things to consider.

Think about what recruiters can see

It’s important to make sure recruiters won’t be put off if they look you up online. Whether it’s a picture of you leaving a club at 3 in the morning looking a bit worse for wear or a tweet about not going to your lectures because you can’t be bothered, you need to make sure you’re giving off the right impression.

Luckily for you, there is a tool for this very problem! You can visit amihired.lincoln.ac.uk and take a look at what employers will be able to see about you.

Decide what you want to be visible

If you want to have certain social networks where you don’t have to be careful about what you say or post, think about making them private. Facebook is a network where it is more or less accepted it is private rather than professional, but you can also make Twitter and Instagram private if necessary.

You could also consider removing your last name from private accounts so they are not so easily found by recruiters.

Build your personal brand

Now that you have decided what is going to be visible to recruiters, it’s important to make sure there is a consistent message or brand throughout your public-facing social media profiles.

Try to include what you study in your profiles, make sure you have profile pictures and completed profiles, and post about relevant things to your industry.

Keep LinkedIn up to date

LinkedIn is the big social network when it comes to job hunting, so if you’re looking for a job make sure you have one!

It’s important to ensure it is showing you in your best light, so fill out your profile and make sure it is up to date with details of your academic experiences as well as any work experience. If you have a portfolio of work or anything else worth showing off, make sure it is posted to your LinkedIn somewhere.

Utilise your network

There are few things more important when you’re job hunting than the people you know. Why try and do it all yourself when you know people who can help you?

Post about the fact you’re looking for a job (particularly on professional networks like LinkedIn) and make sure people know what it is you’re looking for so they can keep an eye out for opportunities for you. Someone may already know about the perfect job for you.