Facebook has more users in the US than any other social network. The total number of users is 800 million and growing. Are you one of them? If so, are you actively using it for your job search? I know people have different reasons for being on Facebook and have different philosophies of who they connect with on Facebook. But…there’s some data I think might convince you to expand how you think about how you use it.
78% of people surveyed credited Facebook with landing their job!
This comes from the recent Jobvite 2011 survey conducted in October of this year!
Stop fighting it. Leverage it!
How many people are you friends with on Facebook? Right now, go check out that number. My count is 255 and I believe that’s pretty small in comparison to some. Is your number of friends greater to the number of connections you have on LinkedIn? Generally, my sense is that the people you are friends with on Facebook are different than the people you are connected to on LinkedIn. That means this is a different audience to share your request for help. Let’s see how you can better use Facebook!
- Make sure you have completed the Work and Experience sections of your profile on Facebook.
This will allow past coworkers to find you or even recruiters looking for people with a specific work background.
- Use strong key words in describing what you did in each job under the subheading called “projects”.
Key words improve your likelihood of being found when people search and when they look at your profile.
- Update “What’s on your mind” regularly with interesting links to work-related posts, job search activities, etc.
This will show in your friends stream and will remind them (or perhaps indicate for the first time) what you do professionally and that you are seeking employment.
- “Like” events you are attending, etc.
2 reasons. First it pings your friends and second, it may help other people hear of events/happening they may be interested in as well!
Pushing Beyond Your Comfort Zone
- “Like” company pages you are interested in working for.
- Comment on discussions on their page to gain name recognition
- Look for job opportunities being promoted on Facebook (more employers are using Facebook to announce openings)
- “Like” Groups that you are interested in (hint, think professional)
- Contribute to discussions! Don’t just lurk.
- Use either or both of these free Facebook apps that will help you identify company insiders, job opportunities and new friends!
- BranchOut
- BeKnown
And if you are looking for other, out of the box ideas you can check out these posts.
Facebook Job Search Dos and Don’ts [Infographic] from All Facebook
10 Ways to Use Facebook to Get a Job from Corn On the Job
5 Ways to use Facebook for Your Job Search from Undercover Recruiter
You might as well try some of these things…you really have nothing to lose!
