Despite the popularity of social media, many job seekers don’t realize how powerful it can be during the job search process.
Although in-person networking is very effective, social media can open the doors to connections you can’t make on a daily basis. Especially if you’re looking for a job in a different city or state, social media can create more opportunities for job seekers.
If you’ve been using social media during your job search but haven’t landed an interview, there are a few steps you could be overlooking. Here are four unusual ways social media can help you land a job:
1. Look for people who can refer you to jobs.
As you scour LinkedIn and Twitter for people to connect with, think of people who can actually refer you to jobs.
Do you have a friend from college who works in a city you want to move to? Are you still in touch with a previous employer who’d have a great industry connection? Think of people who could lead you to valuable connections that could help you land a job through social media.
2. Connect with industry professionals on LinkedIn.
LinkedIn is a great way to connect with professionals who aren’t on Twitter or Facebook. When you connect with industry professionals on LinkedIn, send a unique message introducing yourself and stating your purpose for connecting. This will increase the likelihood of you sparking a relationship with the professional.
After connecting with professionals on LinkedIn, ask them if they know of people within their network that could refer you to job opportunities. This is a great way to cast a wide net during your job search and expand your network of professional connections.
3. Build relationships with recruiters.
Recruiters are everywhere on social media. From Twitter to LinkedIn, recruiters are using social media to scope out top talent.
Many recruiters constantly post job openings throughout a variety of social media platforms. Although recruiters are posting opportunities, keep in mind that they aren’t hiring managers. This is why it’s a good idea to develop relationships with them so you can get connected to the right people within a company.
When you connect with recruiters, ask them valuable and thoughtful questions. Ask them about the types of positions they typically fill and questions about the company’s culture. You could also ask questions about the company’s hiring process and how long it typically takes for them to process applications.
4. Create a list of companies you want to work for and interact!
The best way to land a job using social media is to follow companies you’d love to work for. After you create a list of potential employers, start engaging with their content.
Ask employers about their company, retweet their content, and connect with employees who work there. You can also try sparking valuable conversations with these employers and professionals as well. For example, don’t say, “I love your company! Are you hiring?”. Instead, say something like, “I really like what your company does! Do you have a blog I can read?” This is a thoughtful way to show employers you’re genuinely interested in their company.
The key to using social media to landing a job using social media is asking questions and interacting with the right people. By following these tips, you’ll be able to use social media to effectively market yourself to employers and land a job.
