How to Use Social Media to Find a Job

This article was written by Melissa Newman, Mondo’s Social Media Manager and resident social media marketing expert. By leveraging her training and expertise, Melissa knows what it takes to find a job using social media.

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It’s no secret that social media is excellent for education and entertainment.

Have five minutes to kill in line at the grocery store? Scroll through TikTok — “my money don’t jiggle, jiggle”.

Need to find a how-to video on fixing a leaky faucet? Pull up YouTube and choose from hundreds of videos.

Social media has woven itself into every facet of our lives; why would your next job search be any different?

How can social media help you find a job?

Extend your network outside of a geographic location

Unless your current role is that of a travel influencer — and if so, I’m highly jealous — you’re most likely rooted in one state.

While attending in-person networking events is never a bad idea, leveraging social media during your job search can help you expand your network and connect with a broader pool of potential employers.

Perhaps, your dream job isn’t in your current location but in another state or country!

Empower your job search with social media

Now, thanks to social media, candidates have much more influence over the hiring process.

For example, they can research a company to see if its mission statement and values align with their career aspirations.

In addition, sites like Glassdoor allow them to get a snapshot of company culture directly from current or former employees.

Finally, candidates can proactively connect with a recruiter over a direct message through LinkedIn, representing a company they’re interested in working at, so they can begin to nurture the relationship ahead of submitting a resume.

Stay within reach of recruiters using social media

Even when you aren’t actively looking, having a presence on social media makes it easy for recruiters to find you. For instance, 87% of recruiters use LinkedIn daily to search for talent.

Also, 95 job applications are submitted through the platform each second, with 35.5 million users reporting getting hired by someone they have connected with on the site.

Do’s and Don’ts of using social media to find a job

Do build your personal brand on social media

Your personal brand as a professional on social media can be compared to a cover letter during an interview.

It helps employers who interact with you online get an idea about who you are, your achievements, and if you’d be a culture add.

In addition, it helps you authentically connect with others, which can lead to cultivating an engaged online community, which can turn into referrals and job opportunities.

So when you’re getting started, focus on defining who you are, what you do, and how that makes a difference.

Do showcase your achievements on social media

Portfolio pieces aren’t just for art students.

If you’re looking for a new job in IT, tech, or digital marketing, nine times out of ten, you’ll get asked for samples of your work.

Having a link to Behance pinned to the top of your Twitter account or downloadable PDFs of previous work on LinkedIn’s featured section makes it easier for a recruiter to get a sense of your potential as a candidate.

Do research potential employers on social media

There’s nothing worse than having to immediately begin searching for a job after starting a new one because you realize it’s toxic. Like – Kim Kardashian dating Pete Davison after Kayne – toxic.

Instead, research potential employers before applying so you can save yourself time and, ultimately, a ton of undue stress.

Consult Glassdoor, follow conversations and hashtags affiliated with a potential employer on social media, and see what people have to say.

In the end, you’ll make a better, more informed decision.

Don’t forget to Google your social media presence

Before applying to any roles, take the time to Google yourself and see what comes up.

There’s nothing wrong with being yourself online, making a mistake, and growing from it, but if you have images or videos that don’t position you in the best light, it’s time to delete them.

Social media background checks from companies are very real, so let’s put our best foot forward online.

Don’t publish unprofessional or controversial content on social media

Social media can be a wonderful place to share ideas, gather information, and connect with like-minded individuals.

But, unfortunately, it can also be an echo chamber for negativity.

A comment that took 5 seconds to compose could haunt you for the rest of your life and impede your livelihood, so before hitting “tweet,” think about the long-term consequences of your actions.

Don’t be inconsistent on social media

Social media is like that clingy ex-boyfriend you had two years ago – it needs constant attention.

But seriously, the algorithms favor consistency.

With so much competition on the platforms, committing to networking, publishing, and engaging with content a few times a week will yield the best results for you in the long run during your search.

PODCAST: Melissa Newman Discusses How to Use Social Media to Find a Job

Using social media for your job search

Set up a LinkedIn Profile

While you can search for a job across multiple social media platforms — looking at you, #TikTokResumes — LinkedIn is the defacto business and career network for professionals.

On average, 50 million members, use the site to search for their next role.

Therefore, not having a current, up-to-date profile is a missed opportunity if you want to stand out in this competitive job market.

Plus, LinkedIn allows you to “Easy Apply” for jobs by submitting a profile in place of an application.

You can also…

• receive alerts on open roles straight to your inbox,
• network efficiently with recruiters,
• effectively showcase professional achievements,
• and position yourself favorably to hiring managers.

Grow your network online

You’ve set up your profile, and now it’s time to network!

The activities you complete can depend on what stage you are in during your job search.

If you’re casually looking, connecting with employees at companies you admire by interacting with their content would be an excellent first step.

You can also follow their business accounts on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram and engage with their content there by liking, commenting, and sharing their content.

If you’re looking to switch jobs in the next 2-3 months, make a targeted list of recruiters you want to add to your network.

Send them a short, personalized message and follow up once accepted with a “thank you” before initiating a conversation about a potential role.

Join Groups Related To Your Work And Industry

Groups on Facebook or LinkedIn are a great way to unite over shared interests, which means they are PERFECT for looking for your next role.

If you’re unsure where to start, consider joining an alum group affiliated with your school. You can connect with familiar faces and increase your odds of being referred to an open position by a peer.

Leveraging social media to find a job

In short, social media is indispensable in your arsenal of tools when searching for your next job.

You could be one post away from landing your dream job with consistency, a professional presence, and a willingness to connect and engage.

More articles about job searching and industry trends:

• How to Use LinkedIn to Find a Job: Tips to Get You Hired
• 7 Things to Never Say to a Recruiter When Looking for a Job
• How to Answer “What Is Your Biggest Weakness?” in an Interview with Examples
• Best Skills to List on Your Resume with Examples
• The 9 Workplace Soft Skills Most Valued By Employers
• Best Questions to Ask to Impress Hiring Managers