Social Media CAN Help Your Job Search

Here are 10 ways social media can help your job search based on data that shows employers use social media to assess applicants and candidates.

Many job seekers want to keep their private lives private. But what if you could improve your chances of being the selected candidate by using social media? Companies are checking you out online, so why not use these tools to enhance your qualifications?

Consider this:

Where Employers Look

In 2020, Jobvite Recruiter Nation reported that these are the most used social media channels for recruiting:

• 72% use LinkedIn
• 60% use Facebook
• 38% use Twitter
• 37% use Instagram
• 36% use Glassdoor
• 27% use Youtube

And according to research by CareerBuilder 2018

• 70% of employers use social networks to evaluate candidates
• 66% use search engines to search for candidates

What Are Employers Looking For?

So what exactly are employers looking for when they check you out on social media?

• 58% are looking for information on social media that supports your qualifications for the job
• 50% want to see your professional online persona
• 34% are looking to see what other people have said about you online
• 22% readily admit they are looking for a reason NOT to hire you

Deleting Your Social Media Profiles Won’t Help

If you are thinking about deleting all your social networking profiles or locking them down so no information is viewable, that’s a big mistake. Employers expect to see something. If they don’t find you online that is one more reason to reject a candidate according to 47% of employers.

10 Ways To Use Social Media To Help Your Job Search

If you’ve been avoiding social media during your job search, here are 10 reasons that may convince you to build a positive, professional online presence to help you stand apart from the average candidate. (based on the CareerBuilder study)

1. Your Personality Fits

Hiring managers and human resource professionals say that reviewing the candidates’ social media content provided a good sense of whether the candidate would be a fit within the company.

How often have you thought: ‘If only I could get in front of someone and prove I am a good fit”?

With social media, you can inject your style in status updates and even your LinkedIn About section. Sure, your skills and experience qualify you for jobs, but your personality is one more way to seal the deal.

2. You Are Who You Say You Are

When employers see how your background information supports your qualifications for the job, you look like the real deal. Employers liked the idea of being able to validate a candidate’s experience by checking them out on social media.

Make sure your LinkedIn and other social network profiles are consistent and closely match your resume.

3. You Provide a Professional Image

What you say in your bio and on social profiles provides hiring managers with a glimpse of your professionalism. Employers were impressed with the professional image presented by a candidate’s site.

First, use a high-quality photo (preferably of just your head) with a neutral background that’s free of distractions, such as pets or people. Wear clothing for the job you want – no prom pictures or beach shots.

Second, pay attention to small details, such as grammar, punctuation capitalization and spacing. Not just in your profile, but in everything you post!

4. You Show a Range of Interests

Employers select candidates who come across as well-rounded through information on their profiles and social media updates. Don’t be afraid to show your volunteer involvement and other activities that show how you enjoy spending your free time.

One word of warning: If these activities appear too frequently or divulge personal preferences, it can have a negative impact. Avoid mentioning controversial or extreme interests.

5. You Demonstrate Great Communication Skills

You say you have excellent communication skills, but how can you further provide proof? Employers said social network profiles and status updates offered evidence of great communication skills.

And remember to behave appropriately online. Avoid arguments, profanity and negative rants.

As with your profile, punctuation, spelling and grammar are important in tweets, too.

6. You’re Creative

Often, employers seek candidates who can think outside the box. A candidate’s creativity on social media makes a difference in the hiring decision. Show off your creative abilities online by displaying an infographic resume, using new technology or posting clever status updates.

7. You’ve Received Awards and Accolades

In your cover letter or resume, you may have said you were a top performer or gained recognition for your stellar accomplishments. Proof of awards or accolades online works in your favor.

So snap a photo or grab a screen shot to capture your success. Then share it for all to see, and embed it in your LinkedIn profile.

8. You Have Great References

Companies like seeing references posted about a candidate. Unsolicited or nonreciprocal recommendations are powerful. LinkedIn allows you to display recommendations within your profile, so be sure to ask a boss or happy customer to write one for you. You can make it even easier for them when you provide suggestions or key points you believe are worth mentioning.

9. You Interacted With the Employer

Companies with social media accounts want to engage in conversation. Employers say they like it when a candidate interacted with one of their social media accounts.

Check the company’s website to see which social networks are listed, especially the accounts related to careers. Always be positive and complimentary, and ask questions beyond: “Did you get my application?”

10. You Have a Large Following

A large following or subscriber base is viewed positively by employers. If people are following you, then you might just have something interesting or valuable to say. And your thought leadership and community engagement can benefit the company.

Build your following organically by providing information that is valuable to your target audience. Interact with like-minded professionals online. Gaining a following isn’t easy. But, if you are a good social community citizen, it could be an asset to your future employer.

Originally posted on US News & World Report On Careers