3 Ways to Use Social Media in Your Job Search

Nowadays, technology has advanced up to a point where resumes are no longer given the importance these documents once had in the job seeking business. With the advent of the internet and the near 100% chance of an applicant being on Facebook or other social networking sites, employers now check the qualifications and credentials directly from these sites to get a better idea of what the person is all about and to help them make a decision whether to let them on board.

The average job seeker can use this to his advantage by forming an effective social media strategy. Mentioned below are the few things that you need to take care of.

1. Know your audience. there are different types of audiences on different social networking sites. The people following you on Twitter will generally not be the same people who are your Facebook friends. You should share personal status messages and photos only on Facebook and keep your messages on sites like Twitter and LinkedIn more professional-related. You would never know when an unwanted person takes peek at your profile. For example, if you post pictures of yourself drunk at the party you attended last Saturday night on your LinkedIn profile, it will most probably not be appreciated by your future bosses, but will be celebrated on Facebook by your friends.

2. Research. Make a list of the target companies that you wish to be a part of as an employee. Use social media to research those companies to know more about employee life there to help you make a more informed decisions about the respective companies. Twitter hashtags are a good tool to find jobs. For example if you are interested in arts, you can search for #artjobs. On sites like Technorati and Twellow, you can easily search for certain employees in different companies and get in contact with them. This way, the two of you will have some understanding even before you show up at the company asking for a job. You can also use this strategy to find out about your potential interviewer and research effective ways to break the ice.

3. Know your online profile. Keep in mind that your potential employer will most probably Google your name after looking at your resume before even thinking about calling you up for an interview. You can be a step ahead be Googling yourself and making sure the search results show up exactly what you want them to about you. Visit Klout.com and check your “klout” score to have an idea how much influence you have and how engaged you are across different social media platforms. Another site is wefollow.com. It is basically a directory maintained by Twitter that lists users according to their shared interests and categories. Users have the option to add or remove themselves from certain categories or interests.

Remember that not everyone is fortunate enough to be working a job that they are pleased with and are enjoying. With a smart and effective social media strategy, you might just be able to land the perfect job for yourself.

6 Tips For Generating Strong Job Leads

Your success in your job search will be dependent on finding great job leads. The truth is that most jobs will not just fall on your lap out from the sky. Getting a job requires some hard work and effort on your part. It also requires creativity, persistence and patience. Below are 6 tips you can use to generate job leads that will eventually land you your next job.

1.      Strong Resume

A resume shows employers who a candidate is and why are they are uniquely qualified for the job. There are many tools online that will help job seekers build the perfect resume. It is always important to stand out. There are even resume apps that will allow people to create the best resume they have while anywhere on the go. A mobile resume will also allow people to take their resume wherever they go without having to print.

2.      Building a Website

Self promotion is a great way to be discovered online. This will be excellent for social networking. Job seekers can place their qualifications on their personal website or blog in order to gain notice. A resume can be posted online along with a brief introduction about who a person is. A basic website or blog is free to set, up and there is a monthly fee for those who want to add more advanced components to a webpage. A webpage will also show employers that a job applicant has a creative side and is willing to go the extra mile in order to stand out from others.

3.      Personalize

Whether it is a website or resume, add something personal to any webpage. It can be a brief, personal background or something that highlights personality.  Listing qualifications and experience is important, but adding a human factor is always a good way to stand out. Employers will see a human being instead of another applicant. This is something that many job seekers forget to do whenever applying for jobs. They sometimes forget that employers are human begins too and respond to job seekers who seek to add some personality to their resume or website.

4.      Networking

Networking is a good way to land a job. There are a variety of social networking and business sites where a person can link with others. Online communities and message boards may be able to direct a person as to where they can find the newest jobs and if a company is hiring. Though other job seekers are the competition, use them as a resource and they may be able to direct attention to new job leads.

5.      Research

Applicants must research companies before the interview. Make a list and find out what that company is about. Tailor a cover letter and resume to a specific employer. Find out what they are looking for and highlight that attribute on a cover letter. Always give employers what they want. If an ad says that an employer wants a trustworthy candidate, make a cover letter about trust, honor and loyalty. Highlighting what employers want to see is a great way to get a solid job lead.

6.      Online Message Boards         

There are a variety of sites that allow employers to list job openings. This will allow direct access to employers who are looking for employees quickly. Whenever sending a response, the title of the email should always stand out. Send a resume out with each response. Have a pre written cover letter and resume for immediate response. This will allow job seekers to send out resumes.