Mashable! recently posted an article on finding a job via social media. And why not? We’re using social media for everything these days, from connecting to old friends and sharing photos to promoting our companies and seeking out new business opportunities. It only makes sense that potential job seekers would look to social media sites, particularly LinkedIn, to network and perhaps land that new dream job. And employers can use this as another method of pre-screening and weeding out applicants.
For this reason, it’s more important than ever to be sure you’re representing yourself online in a professional manner – that is, if you want to be seen as a serious professional. Mitch discussed the importance of a personal brand a few weeks back, and I thought it was worth bringing up again, if for no other reason than to further stress it for job seekers. If you’re in the running for an executive position, the last thing you want is a distasteful photo of yourself on a social media site coming back to haunt you. Goodbye corner office with a view.
While there’s no real “season” for job-hunting, I felt this was an appropriate time to discuss. Many students who graduate in the spring continue to work part-time over the summer and hold off on job hunting until the fall. And with the whole “back-to-school” mentality we all associate with the fall, sometimes the season can be a chance for a fresh start. Well, the time is now. Summer is on its way out and fall will be here before we know it. So those who are looking at the upcoming season as a time for a new career search, time to update the resume – and your social media presence. Be sure that whatever you’re representing online is how you’d represent yourself in person. For additional tips on finding a job through social media, check out this article on About.com.
Have you had luck finding a job through a social media outlet? Conversely, have you ever lost out on a job due to something you posted online? What are your thoughts on employers searching social media for information on potential job candidates?
