How to use Social Media to get a Job

11/21/2009 - 5:00 am By Richard Darell

After what has been described as the worst economic melt-down in modern history we are finally recovering a little bit and companies are once again slowly starting to hire people again. But is the ways we usually look for jobs still the most effective way of finding one? Some say the ways companies are looking for new employees have forever changed and to actually get noticed you have to have some skills and some individuality combined with a genuine approach. So what is that?

To best describe it you double your chances ten fold if you have some groovy skills in using the Internet to your advantage. Namely social media. Companies are more and more looking through your Facebook profile, your Twitter feed and also your Myspace profile in order to see what kind of person you are. If you’re a social magnate or a Saturday party flyer. As statistics show companies have turned to Twitter to check out your influence in the field you are in. They value professional approach as well as your willingness to grow within the area of skill you specialize in.

So if you for example are looking for design work then it would be a good idea to share your work, preferably through an ever growing portfolio, but also through the willingness to help others. Your skills also shows through the way you interact with people, how you position yourself to new trends and so on.

So, if you’re looking for a new job then just start acting like it. Take the precautions necessary for you to look professional and open to new challenges and you are well on your way of being noticed by the companies looking for people in your specific genre. Go get them!

Author: Richard Darell

Known as a leader in social media, Richard shares his extensive knowledge of cutting edge design with designers and developers all over the world. Richard founded Bit Rebels in 2009, and currently the site welcomes over one million visitors each month. Minervity.com, another one of Richard's very successful sites, is known as the go-to place for design tutorials and information on the latest techniques. Richard's creativity has also led him to a very long and successful career in music as a song writer and producer for International artists. Richard hails from Stockholm, Sweden but also spends time in Los Angeles. Follow Richard on Twitter: @Minervity

6 Comments

djthistle

November 21st, 2009

Nice article Richard, lot’s of good points. I spoke at a wine conference 2 weeks ago on social media and one of the CEOs said to me he always checks Facebook and Twitter accounts for prospective employees. He even went on to say that if they don’t have at least a Facebook and a Twitter account they he doesn’t even consider them for any positions because they just don’t get it.

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Fresh Blog Reviews » How to use Social Media to get a Job | Bit Rebels

November 21st, 2009

[...] Read more here: How to use Social Media to get a Job | Bit Rebels [...]

CarlosX360

November 22nd, 2009

Hum. I don’t understand, I already have a facebook account, already have a twitter account, already have a youtube channel, already have a myspace account. Something’s wrong. o_O

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December 1st, 2009

I may be one of the few, but in my opinion I think it’s absurd to be judged based on your facebook and twitter profiles. I have those accounts, but am too busy WORKING to give them any dedicated thought. Besides, they’ve all become cliche’ and overbearing. I also believe there needs to be a balance between your personal life and your professional life. When the two begin to overlap you start “living to work,” which is no way to live.

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Jasmine Guevara

December 13th, 2009

This is so true. As a previous recruiter and from time to time, a hiring manager, I do use Social Media to learn more about potential candidates.

Social media also takes the power of word-of-mouth to another level, and I posted the following on my blog: “How to Get a ‘Friend of a Friend’ to Help You in Your Job Search”: http://bit.ly/2HSXZ6

Lastly, I have also used Social Media when preparing for an interview. Most times, I am able to get the name of the interviewer, whether it be the recruiter, hiring manager, or any other person involved in the decision-making process. I would then do a LinkedIn search on that person to learn more about him/her and the company. I’d also do a company search on LinkedIn to see how long people have stayed in that particular company. The nice thing about LinkedIn is that people’s public profile will usually contain a link to their company website or even their own blog. When you visit the blog, you get to learn more about the person. On that blog, you may even see links to this person’s additional social media presence, i.e. Twitter, Facebook, etc. I also do a Google Search on the interviewer(s). Was this person mentioned online? What are people saying? Is it positive or negative? Has this person published something? Doing this kind of “research” on the “person” not just the “company” prior to an interview will enable you, as the interviewee, to ask the right questions…and it will differentiate you from the rest. Just make sure you don’t start sounding like a stalker.

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NikkiD66

January 23rd, 2010

Thanks for a great article. It is true that employers do do research via social media! I have done that personally. You can’t be too careful these days! Allso, I would like to say you have wonderfully helpful articles. I can always learn something every time I visit. Either from yourself, Diana, Misty or Susan. It is much appreciated!

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