Using Social Media in Job Search

Here’s the truth – absolutely no one likes looking for a new job. Nope. Not one single person on earth gets up and says “gee, can’t wait to look for a new job today!” So, you are in good company if you are (reluctantly) facing a job search. But, on the plus side, there are now more tools than ever to help you search out and find a great position and company. And, you can even do this using social media tools with which you are already familiar. Today, social media is part of how people get in touch not only with each other, but also with companies

Estimates are that more than 80% of Americans have social media accounts. Social media is a great way to connect with others, bring attention to your work, and develop new ideas. The top social media platforms to explore in a job search:

1. LinkedIn – A professional social network with 500 million members. Focus on people you already know, and people you would like to know. LinkedIn has search features that let members know about job postings and companies.
2. Twitter – Provides instant connections for sharing ideas with 328 million users. It is conversational, giving real-time information about areas of interest and connects users beyond people they already know. For job hunting, build lists of influencers to follow.
3. Facebook – A powerful social network with more than two billion users worldwide. Facebook can help you connect with influencers, shape what others think of you, and share things that help show your interests and breadth. Use Facebook to follow companies and get ideas about job opportunities.
4. Instagram – This platform revolves around illustrations and has grown to roughly 800 million users. These users love great photos and videos. Use this platform to interact graphically with companies and people who interest you.
5. Snapchat – While this platform is changing, it has 250 million users and can provide insights into trends, people, and companies.

Group Activities and Discussion Questions:

1. Ask students to define how they currently use social media platforms.
2. What limits their use of the platforms? Do they use these for job search?
3. Review the New York Times ariicle: https://www.nytimes.com/guides/business/social-media-for-career-and-business?em_pos=small&emc=edit_ct_20171116&nl=technology&nl_art=0&nlid=65703977&ref=headline&te=1&redirect=true
4. Students can explore various links within this article to learn more about the different platforms.
5. Divide students into five teams. Have each team explore a different social media platform and provide guidelines about the platform for job search.
6. Build a shared document with the information.

Source: Sreenivasan, S. (2017, November). How to use social media in your career. New York Times.