Social media is a valuable tool that many job seekers overlook. While people use social media for personal use, if used right, social networks can help job seekers land a job.
Companies are using social networks as a way to research candidates to understand who they are, so why not enhance your background and skills so you stand out from the crowd. CareerBuilder surveyed more than 2,000 hiring professionals and found that 52% of those employers, researched candidates using social media. What’s even better, one-third of those employers found information that increased the chances of hiring a candidate.
So how do you use social media to your advantage? Here are a few tips to help build a professional online presence that will grab the attention of recruiters and hiring managers.
Show off your personality: Social media is a great way to show who you are so take advantage of summaries and “about me” sections to show off your personality. Of the hiring professionals surveyed by CareerBuilder, almost 40% said that a candidate’s personality seemed like a good fit for the company culture once they researched the candidate online. Remember, your personality can seal the deal, so show it off!
Be truthful and consistent: Hiring professionals like to see that your background supports the qualifications you’ve given so make sure your profiles are consistent and honest. 42% of the employers surveyed said they liked using social media to validate a candidate’s experience, so make sure you’re stating the facts consistently.
Use a professional image for your profile picture: First impressions are crucial during the hiring process and a social medial profile photo is one way to make a great impression. Using a high quality, professional looking photo with no distractions is a great way to grab the attention of hiring mangers. 38% of employers said they were impressed buy a candidate’s professional profile picture, so make your picture count!
Showcase your communication skills: You might say you have great communication skills, but can you prove it? 37% of employers said social platforms and status updates helped determine evidence of great communication skills. Another tip, stay neutral. Avoid debates, arguments, or anything that might have a negative connotation towards you.
State your interests: Employers like candidates who are well rounded so show off the volunteering you’ve done or what you like doing in your spare time. Caution, keep these interest lighthearted and positive, mentioning controversial or extreme interests could turn employers off.
Interact with companies: If you’re interested in working for a company engage in conversations or interact with them online. Employers like when candidates interact with the company so be positive and complimentary when interacting with possible employers.