These days, everything and everyone is online – including the people in charge of finding and hiring quality staff. According to Jobvite’s 2020 recruiter survey, the social media channels most used for recruiting are LinkedIn (72%) and Facebook (60%). So, it makes sense to leverage social media in your job search.
What is LinkedIn?
LinkedIn, the world’s largest online professional network, lets workers and employers make professional connections. As of June 2021, LinkedIn had 756 million registered members from 200 countries and territories.
What is Facebook?
Facebook virtually invented social networking in the early 2000s. It introduced its jobs featured in 2017. Facebook boasts 2.8 billion (monthly) active users worldwide, with around 190 million users in the United States. Roughly 65 million businesses currently have a Facebook presence.
Given those figures, you probably already have an account with Facebook, LinkedIn, or both, which means you also have created a site profile. But if you’re using your accounts to find a job, make sure your profile is doing a good job for you.
Creating an Effective Profile
Facebook: Before you start looking for jobs on Facebook, you’ll want to check your bio and privacy settings. Update your professional information and include a businesslike profile photo. Make sure your public-facing content is unobjectionable, removing anything an employer might consider questionable. Recruiters can and do screen applicants’ Facebook pages; inappropriate posts could cost you an interview – or a job.
LinkedIn: When did you last edit your LinkedIn profile? If necessary, update your career information, profile photo, skills you’ve added, and certificates you’ve earned. Clicking the “Open to Work” button will tell recruiters you’re available. Use keywords in your headline to highlight your skills and attract the kind of job you are seeking.
Where to Find Job Listings
In Facebook, the Jobs link is in the sidebar to the left of your news feed. You can search jobs and filter by location, industry, or job type. Click “subscribe” in the right-hand column for notifications about new job openings. You also can find job listings on individual company pages. Click “apply now” for jobs you are interested in pursuing.
View job postings on LinkedIn via the top navigation bar. Robust search capabilities enable you to filter by type of job, keywords, geographic area, company, experience level, and date posted. You can click “apply” immediately or “save” to apply later. You also can set job alert notifications for new postings using your keywords.
Best Practices
Here are a few additional tips:
- To avoid “doom scrolling,” make a list of places you’d like to work. Then, visit each company’s page to see if they are hiring.
- Expand your virtual network. Join the group for your college alumni association or those linked to your profession. Follow a respected professional in your field.
- Engage with feeds from the groups and companies you follow. Be positive and respectful.
- Create posts that highlight your skills and experience.
For additional help with your job search, contact the placement experts at Pro Resources Staffing.