A few tips for Social Media and Job Search

I have been writing some help-guides for using social media and job search for Illinois workNet. I won’t steal their thunder, but I want to point out a few key items that showed up on almost every sheet that I created.

1. Job search and social media do not exclusively mean LinkedIn.
   1. Many of the other platforms have very relevant considerations for boosting your job search.
   2. Some platforms make more sense to find jobs.
2. When you are in job search mode, you are creating a brand – YOURS. Be sure that you are making a positive impact for your brand on your social media platforms.
3. Be consistent with your brand appearance – icon, images, voice.
4. Participate regularly. The number one rule of marketing is your Brand/name has to be remembered. People will not remember your name if it isn’t in front of them regularly.
5. Search – use the search function of the platform to find information about companies to which you are applying. You will also want to look at company culture and values to help you make a decision about applying or accepting positions.
6. Status updates need to include two different elements:
   1. Let your connections know that you are in job search mode in a positive manner. NEVER bad mouth your former employer.
   2. Let your connections know that you have the beat on your industry by sharing thoughts and articles that are useful and informative.

If you need to know more of the specifics of the hand-outs I wrote, I encourage you to join the Illinois Virtual Job Club Network. We will be sharing the handouts there over the next few weeks.