​In 2018, we live in a world where almost everything we do is posted, liked and shared. We are promoting more of ourselves as humans than ever before. So, how can you use this to enable job searching and career boosts? And why do we need to be careful when publicising our lives on the internet?

How can I use social media to boost my career opportunities?

‘Social job searching’ is the term given to using social media sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to enable your hunt for a new role. These platforms are being used increasingly more often by employers and recruiters to find suitable candidates for their vacancies so it has never been more important to make sure you have a presence.

All the sites listed above are free so it is important that you build a social network even if you aren’t looking for a new role right now. You may not actively be looking but if you put yourself out there, the perfect role might come to you!

Just a basic presence is important but to get the most out of social media, make sure to keep your details up to date and keep an eye on the kind of impression you are giving off about yourself via your profiles.

How should I interact on social media?

Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are predominantly used by people networking within their personal lives, but that is not to say that recruiters and potential employers won’t see them. It is common practice to google somebody when considering them for a job, so make sure that what you are putting out there is an image you are happy for professional contacts to see but also that it is an accurate portrayal of who you are as a person. A lot can be learned about somebody from the way they interact on social media and it is a great way for employers and recruiters to better understand your likes, dislikes and how you might fit into a company.

Why is LinkedIn important?

LinkedIn is widely known as the social media site you would use for your professional life and it is usually hiring managers and recruiters first port of call. If you’re thinking about using social media for job searching, your first move is to build out your LinkedIn profile.

Ensure it is up to date and that you have listed your achievements etc. Use this tool to really sell yourself. Think about what a potential employer for your ideal job would like to see and use this to make yourself attractive to them. As well as having a great profile, engaging with the platform will make you more visible. Join relevant groups, connect with people working at companies you are interested in, post content and network with others posting too!

If you would like any more advice on how to get the most out of social media, just ask your consultant, they would be more than happy to help. We are on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram, follow us for regular updates on what job vacancies we have available, industry news, job hunting tips and more!