Social media is one of the most important forms of networking in the digital age we live in today. Everything is shown on social media, from job opportunities to internship opportunities to personal life stories. The New York Times reported an increase of 27 percent of people using Facebook, over 6 million people using Zoom, and an increase of 15.4 percent of people using Tik Tok since the Coronavirus pandemic began.
Many people make the mistake of creating social media accounts without paying attention to the actual content they are putting out to their audience or using each platform to its fullest and most beneficial extent for their job search. Doug Camplejohn, writer for the Harvard Business Review, wrote about LinkedIn’s 2018 sales report. He stated that “89% of top salespeople consider networking platforms to be critical to closing deals”. Not only can social media help you secure the perfect job, but it can also help you create long-term relationships with companies you may work with in the future. Check out some of our key tips on how to network yourself on social media below to help you build those connections and secure that job of your dreams!
Build your social media presence: Once you find the prospective company you want to work with, follow and engage with their company. When you apply to the company in the future, you will be very informed and up to date with the content they are posting and impress them with your level of commitment to the company.
Practice good social media etiquette: If you choose to follow your current or future employer, be aware of the content you post. Make sure your content is engaging but also work-appropriate. What we post is crucial to the impression we give to people and show our character.
Update/create a LinkedIn page: If you have not done so already, create a LinkedIn page. LinkedIn currently has over 400 million users, one of those people could be your future employer. Take advantage of the resources you have in front of you.
Focus on quality over quantity: Be specific and calculated with the connections you make, you’ll see a higher return rate on the time you invest. Attend a virtual networking event targeted to your desired field to create long-term personal relationships with people in your field that can possibly connect you to your future job.
Find relevant online communities or mentors for professional support: Learning how to network for yourself can be hard enough on its own, it is so important to find online communities or companies that can help you build your professional profile. Reach out to someone you trust and who has experience in your field. They can help look over your LinkedIn profile or the content you are thinking of posting. This will help you get constructive feedback and help you feel more confident in your professional profiles!