Social media adds yet another wrinkle to the job search process. But why not turn your digital presence into a boon rather than a bane? You already know the importance of building a thorough LinkedIn profile and cleaning up that beer-soaked Facebook profile, so we turned to our friends on the HR, communications and startup scenes to go beyond the basics for digital job seekers. These ten tips will attract the right kind of attention to your social activity.
1. Find niche sites to fit your field or geographic location
Amit De, CEO and co-founder of CareerLeaf recommends seeking out “niche sites that really highlight your skills, like Dribbble if you’re a graphic designer, Pinterest if you’re a photographer, or WritersCafe if you’re an avid writer. Find the best medium to convey your skill set, and really make it stand out.” Also be sure to check out local resources. Built in Chicago is one of our favorite hometown resources for content and networking, and they also have a consistently updated job board.
2. Post about the field you want to be in
Sharing intelligent insights on the career you want shows your passion for the topic, says Claudia Ramirez, PR Strategist at Fueled. “If you’re trying to get hired at a leading fashion house, make sure you’re posting up-to-date information on the latest products, releases, fashion shows, and industry gossip. The same goes for any industry you are trying to find your way into. Retweet posts from your favorite bloggers and journalists relevant to your fields, include pictures of industry events, and stay up to date on the latest news. It will showcase your passion for the field.”
3. Show discipline by blogging consistently
Starting a blog shows initiative, but consistency is equally if not more important. “If you plan on going into a career field that involves a lot of writing or social media usage, this will help serve as a bare bones version of a portfolio for you and help establish your name online,” says Heather Taylor, Social Media Manager at MyCorporation.com. But remember, putting your name on a blog with sporadic posting habits sends a message of its own.
4. Be Searchable on LinkedIn
LaMecia Butler recommends “changing your professional headline to the title that recruiters are using for the jobs you want.” Headlines are picked up in LinkedIn searches so be sure to optimize this component of your profile, and know that it doesn’t have to match your current job title.
