3 Ways to Use Your Social Media Accounts to Get a New Job

If you’re looking for a new job, here are three ways to use social media to stand out from the crowd and increase your chances of getting hired.

1. Mind what you post on all your social accounts

Social accounts are not only a place to chat and post selfies. Today, these platforms can and should be used to showcase your skills and work. Even if you’re not looking for a job through social networks, your social accounts are very important parts of the job search. Every post on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook could affect whether you get a job or not—hiring managers are typically looking at candidates’ social accounts.

So, make sure that you’re posting information that you wouldn’t mind hiring managers seeing, or else close your accounts in your privacy settings. Hiring managers will be happy to get to know you better through your social posts—and this could help your candidacy—but too much personal information may adversely affect the decision to hire you.

2. Leverage LinkedIn

To improve your chances of finding a job, use every possible channel, especially LinkedIn, which many recruiters use to vet candidates. Therefore, make sure to have a comprehensive profile on this platform that reflects your experience and skills. You might also link to examples of work, a resume, or a portfolio. In addition, leverage LinkedIn’s networking possibilities. You can find thousands of like-minded people who can provide leads, advice, and new knowledge.

In order to optimize your networking opportunities via LinkedIn, check your current contacts’ contacts. You might not suspect what valuable connections can be made via your contacts—you might even find employees in your desired field whom you can build relationships with. Of course, LinkedIn also allows you to reach out to employees at organizations you want to work for, which will help you get valuable contacts and information about job openings. In addition, make sure to subscribe to and follow your desired employers, and "like" and comment on their content, which will allow you to get noticed. 

3. Use a call to action in your cover letters

Even though recruiters will likely be looking at your social accounts, it’s a good idea to send them directly to your accounts—if those accounts are something you're proud of. So, once you’ve created unique content on your social platforms, and are showcasing your experience, skills, knowledge, and personality, then it’s a good idea to use a call to action in your cover letters, inviting recruiters to visit your social profiles to assess your professional skills, knowledge, and capabilities.

Of course, you might also be able to do this in your resume, or in other parts of your applications. The point is, if you have it, then flaunt it. Your social media presence could be what makes the difference in you landing the job or not.

​Lynn Mitchell is a writer and content maker for Fresh Essays specializing in digital marketing. She regularly writes about the latest advancements in technology and digital marketing. You can contact her at guestpostingninja@gmail.com.