Social media: love it or hate it, you can’t escape it. Social media sites and apps have worked their way into every aspect of our lives. No longer just for personal expression and friendships, social networks have expanded into networking tools. Do a quick search about social media and you’re likely to see a lot of warnings about what not to do. This is especially true when it comes to your professional life. However, there are also benefits to using social media as a way to find your next career opportunity. Keep reading for an overview and a few pointers from Justin Dobbie, a technical recruiter at Market Street Talent.
Connect with the Right People
From a recruiting perspective, social media is key. Justin highlighted platforms like Facebook and Twitter as increasingly valuable when finding good talent. “Social media in general is becoming more and more important when connecting with great candidates,” says Justin. “Having a clear and concise message when reaching out is important.” LinkedIn is another great way to connect with people who might hold the key to your next opportunity.
Promote Your Company
Even if you’re not job hunting, you can still take advantage of social media to highlight what you’re currently working on. Depending on your company, there may be a corporate blog or Facebook page that you can follow and share posts from. This will help boost your company’s social media visibility and show that you’re a team player who is proud of where they work.
Market Yourself and Your Skills
You probably know the importance of using your LinkedIn profile to showcase your skills and professional accomplishments. You can also capitalize on your Twitter feed, li.st app, or Facebook page to demonstrate your writing abilities, communication skills, and even your technical skills. Share your GitHub page or portfolio with your social network to increase visibility. Make the most of your social media presence by advertising what you would bring to a company, both practically and personally.
The Distraction Factor
As anyone who’s ever picked up their phone “just to check something” and then looked at the clock to realize 30 minutes had gone by knows, social media can be a major distraction. Trying to strike a balance between capitalizing on social media activity and staying on task isn’t easy for everyone. Justin also mentioned that as a recruiter, “It can be hard to reach your target audience.” This goes for job seekers as well – it’s not always easy to find someone to connect you with the company you’re dying to interview with, or an industry leader you’d love to ask a few questions.
Consider Your Audience
It’s important to be mindful of what you’re putting out there on social media and who might view it. If you’re inclined to share personal details and your views about current events, it’s probably worth giving your privacy settings a once-over to make sure you’re covered. Another option is having both a private and public profile on sites like Facebook and Twitter. Your goal should be to strike a balance between showing your personality and keeping your professional image intact. Social media can absolutely be an asset throughout different phases of your career – just remember to monitor it carefully for best results!
Do you have any thoughts about social media’s role in today’s career market? Let us know (on social media, of course) – Facebook or Twitter.
