How to Edit LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter for Your Job Search
Simply Hired Staff
Today 28 percent of people’s time online is spent on social media networks. In fact, the average internet user spends 1.7 hours every single day on social media. If you’re hunting for a job, it’s pretty likely that you’re also spending some time using social media in your job search. Sites like Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter can help you learn about opportunities, network with potential employers and research your desired career. It’s no wonder that over 40 percent of job seekers have begun to incorporate social media into their job hunt strategy.
According to applicant tracking system Jobvite’s 2014 Social Recruiting Survey, over 90 percent of recruiters are also using these sites. Here are some tips and tricks of what to share on three of the most popular social networks while job searching.
1. LinkedIn
As the world’s largest professional social network, 94 percent of recruiters use the site to connect with and source candidates for open jobs. As a job seeker, it’s imperative that your LinkedIn profile is kept as up-to-date as your resume and touts your personal brand. However, your profile page isn’t the only thing that recruiters are looking at. A vast majority of recruiters are actually actively keeping tabs on your behavior on the site. Career coach Kristin Johnson recommends trying to share valuable content, including:
- Links to any blog posts or articles that you’ve written in your field.
- Networking events that you attend.
- Links to helpful content by subject matter experts that your network can benefit from.
- Questions that your network can help you answer, whether they be about your job hunt or about your field of interest.
While it’s important to stand out using Linkedin, remember to keep it professional. Matt Kapko of CIO warns to keep your LinkedIn profile and status updates relevant to your career. No dog photos unless you’re a vet or a dog walker, and don’t include your love of karate or skill at the trombone.
2. Facebook
With its 1.44 billion registered users, Facebook is the undeniable king of all social networks. Used by the young and old alike, Facebook has become the way many old friends, colleagues and family members remain in touch. However, don’t think that your friends and family are the only ones checking out your latest uploaded photo or that article you posted. In fact, recruiters report that 32 percent are vetting candidates before interviews while 35 percent are researching you post-interview. According to job search expert Allison Doyle, there are many pitfalls to avoid when using Facebook during your job search. She recommends taking a proactive approach to managing your presence on the site by:
- Changing your privacy settings so that only friends can view your shared or tagged photos.
- Avoid sharing inflammatory political or religious statements.
- Remove or untag any unflattering photos (you know what we mean, and new grads, this is a big one for you).
- Remove any unsavory or questionable comments from your wacky uncle about the family reunion.
Most importantly, Doyle reminds you never post anything you wouldn’t want your current or future employer to see.
3. Twitter
With 302 million active users and 500 million tweets sent each day, Twitter is the social network that provides you with “real-time updates about what matters to you.” It’s a place for you to see what your favorite sports heroes are thinking or keep up with the latest news. However, did you know that 14 percent of recruiters have hired someone they’ve found on Twitter?
Not only is this social network a wonderful place to learn from others, it’s also a great place to build your personal brand, an important component of job searching. After uploading a professional photo and building out a keyword-rich photo with relevant hashtags, Marketingland recommends these tips to building your brand on Twitter:
- Follow at least two new accounts every day.
- Be active every day. Don’t forget to tweet; consistency is everything.
- Follow subject matter experts in your field of interest or others working in your industry.
- Retweet the thoughts and work of others that you follow.
- Follow back the people who follow you, and even respond with a “thank you” tweet.
- Tweet about the trending hashtags.
With consistent engagement on Twitter, you can slowly but surely gain enough notice so that when recruiters check out your account they will find an expert.
