Securing a job is the tough part, but scouting an open position? All it takes is a strategic scroll through your favourite social media accounts.
If you are not using social media and mobile for your job search then you may have fallen behind many other candidates. A recent Aberdeen Group survey indicates that 73% of 18-34-year-olds found their last job through a social network, which seems to imply that the younger generations are by far the savviest searchers when it comes to finding new positions.
There is a lot you can learn from this statistic, so if you are yet to delve into the world of social job searching, you could be missing out on some golden opportunities.
Using social media in your job search.
Locating job search opportunities via Twitter.
Twitter’s immediacy makes it ideal for staying ahead of the game. It can be used to search for jobs, follow target companies and stay abreast of all the latest industry news.
Often opportunities will be tweeted before they are announced elsewhere – and occasionally influencers will use the network’s leverage to do their recruiting for them.
Hashtags such as #Careers or #Techjobs will offer a digest of the latest opportunities and there are many Twitter accounts dedicated to posting job applications. Click here for a full list of hashtags to monitor when looking for newly announced positions.
Openings, of course, can be made rather than sought and Twitter is ideal for networking with other recruiters. If you’re a keen blogger or have a slick personal website, Twitter is also a fantastic platform for amplifying your content and marketing yourself to potential employers.
Getting yourself LinkedIn.
LinkedIn is undoubtedly the network of choice for job seeking, but again it pays to be proactive as well as reactive.
A study from Jobvite found that 94% of recruiters use LinkedIn to search for candidates, so make sure your profile sells your skills and you’re interacting with influencers on a regular basis.
LinkedIn groups allow you to connect with peers and influencers alike, the jobs boards are awash with opportunities in every field and you can follow target company updates and research their key personnel.
With a little research on LinkedIn, it’s easy to find some key people to reach out and connect with. It's good practice to start with those just one connection away from you, but don't be too cautious: this is a platform made for networking and you never know where opportunities will come from. So whether it’s old colleagues, university alumni or industry specific recruiters, don’t hesitate when building out your connections and try to cover all bases.
LinkedIn is also the place to market your knowledge through updates, group posts, and comments. According to career expert, Nicole Williams, sharing content on LinkedIn makes you 10 times more likely of being contacted by a recruiter.
Using other social networks to find a job.
Twitter and LinkedIn are by far the most fruitful platforms for job seekers but other social media sites can lead you to promising opportunities too. Facebook can also be used to promote and share industry-relevant content and with its expanding search functions, it can also help you find useful career pages and trending vacancies.
Pinterest can introduce you to a host of dazzling CV examples and portfolios and Tumblr can be used for content marketing, in a similar way to LinkedIn, and is particularly effective for creative industries.
Job search on the go with mobile.
“More than ever, job seekers are using mobile devices to search for new positions and stay updated on the latest opportunities. Whether you are hunting for an entry-level role or a CEO position, technology has likely changed the way you land your next gig.”
Joyce Harold, Recruiter.com
There are a number of job search apps that can bring opportunities to your fingertips wherever you are and whatever you are doing. Using these as well as your mobile social platforms, will allow you to be switched on and in the know wherever you are.
PDF files are compatible across multiple platforms, so having CVs and cover letters stored on your mobile devices will allow you to apply for jobs remotely and respond to ads quickly and efficiently.
If you’re applying from your mobile device, ensure you have customised your phone’s email signature to include your first and last name, email address, phone number and useful URLs, such as to your LinkedIn account, online portfolio and blog.
