If it's true that friends and acquaintances can be helpful with landing jobs, then it logically follows that friends on social media can be just as helpful. Drawn from a compendium of tips recently highlighted in U.S. News and World Report, the following helpful hints excerpted below illustrate ways that social media can be used as an effective networking tool:Let friends and followers on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter in on the job hunt. Even if they don't know of an opening right at the moment, they could make contact once a position becomes available. An added benefit: the opportunity to get the inside scoop and hear about openings before they're posted for the public to see on widely read job boards. Twitter offers a variety of chats that revolve around specific industries. Participating in online conversations is a great way to stay up-to-date on the career field, get acquainted with potentially helpful contacts, and showcase your expertise in the industry.
Even though Facebook is primarily for fun, it still offers valuable networking opportunities, especially with a bounty of Facebook friends that the average Facebook user enjoys. Personal friends typically have a vested interest in helping one another succeed, something that's definitely advantageous when searching for a job. To avoid the risky situation of a potential employer coming across personal updates, it's essential to manage privacy settings with care. Under account, go to privacy settings, and select "friends only." This ensures that potential employers only see professional, hire-worthy content.
Look up the hiring manager's profile on LinkedIn or Twitter before submitting a resume. These sources can offer a wealth of information, and knowing more about the person who's doing the hiring can be helpful with crafting a cover letter that matches their needs and desires.In the contact information section of resumes, adding URLs for Twitter handles and LinkedIn profiles is a smart move. This offers the employer another method of getting in touch, and it also shows that you possess genuine social media savvy, a skill increasingly appreciated by many employers, such as Internet marketers.Filling out a LinkedIn profile and being active on the network pushes your profile towards the top of Google's search results. Among other things, this means that potential employers are more likely to see desirable information.