How to Use Your Social Media to Get Hired

By Brandi Fowler

Social media has not only become a place to share industry thoughts, inspire others, and build your community. You can also use it to land a job.?

The way you construct your personal brand on LinkedIn , Twitter, TikTok, etc., can attract hiring managers and recruiters. Your accounts can also be their first look into who you are during the hiring process.?

“When job searching, it is highly likely that the recruiter, the hiring manager, or even your future team, will Google you,” said Sarah Johnston , who is the founder of Briefcase Coach and an executive resume writer. “LinkedIn is typically one of the top 10 websites on the first page of a Google search result.?

“So, it's highly likely that if someone searches for you, they will find your LinkedIn page. You want to make sure that you are telling a professional story, the right story, that you want your audience to know about you.”

Know Who You Are

When trying to use your social media profile to land a job, gain clarity about the type of audience you want to attract.

Ask yourself, “Who are you? What's your value proposition? Where are you headed? And what skills or qualities are important in that future role?” said Johnston.?

She also suggested using words on your LinkedIn profile that someone would utilize to search for you in your skillset. Also, be clear on your value proposition.

For example, showing that you are an engineer, have a consulting side business, and are on a board can be too much to create content around during the job search process. Instead, choose the sector where you want to land a job and target your content to that audience.?

“Thought leadership is powerful,” Johnston said. “When you consistently create engaging and insightful content, you position yourself as a leader in your space. I have seen people do a really nice job of attracting eyeballs to their LinkedIn page because they've created such thoughtful content. Eyeballs lead to conversations and conversations lead to potential opportunities.”?

Consider starting with the basics when you begin creating content.?

“You could write a paragraph explaining your perspective on [a recent professional experience],” said Mandy Tang , who is a career coach and founder of Rose Gold Careers. “If you have graduated from a boot camp or received your certification in something, write about that.”?

Networking Is Key

If you aren’t ready to create content, comment on other professionals’ posts with whom you want to build relationships.?

“Think about who the decision makers are that [you] need to build relationships with in [your] job search,” Johnston said. “Build an Excel spreadsheet and list profiles of people that you want to start tracking. If they post something on LinkedIn, engage with that. Share something thoughtful that adds value to the conversation. Don't just say, ‘I agree’, or ‘good job.’”

Johnston also suggested using Inmails and direct outreach to score new opportunities.?

“I know job seekers can be hesitant to reach out to people they don't know,” Johnston said. “But LinkedIn is a connecting website. It all comes down to how you craft your outreach message and how you make an ask to someone.?

“Start with a really small ask. Try, ‘Hey, I'm thinking about this’ or ‘I know that you have experience in this. Which of these two do you recommend?’ The easier you make it for someone to respond, the more likely they will respond.”

Customize Your Content

Customize your content for different social media platforms. LinkedIn is geared more towards narratives, Tang said. On TikTok, you want your content to entertain and engage.

“TikTok is all about authenticity,” Tang said. “The barrier to starting on TikTok is pretty low because it doesn't have to be aesthetic. It can just be you in your room talking about how you got started.?

“What are some of the questions that you normally get [when] people are trying to network with you? Write down a list of the top 10 questions that you get. How did you get started in your field? What's the most interesting thing? What's the typical career progression? Do a video for each one and answer those questions.”

Tang recommended creating one-minute videos for TikTok that have a hook in the first five seconds, and to experiment with different content creation styles.?

Once you have built up your audience on TikTok, consider adding, ‘follow me for more tips on [your field]’ in your profile, Tang said. That can also help you land a job.?

To find out more about how to build a personal brand and leverage it for career opportunities, read here .

A common area of anxiety among job seekers is what to do once they get a job offer. Should they negotiate? If so, what should they ask for? Also, how do they know when they have enough? Mori Taheripour , a negotiation expert and author, joined me on the latest episode of the #GetHired podcast to talk all about it. You can find a transcript of the conversation and listen to the episode by clicking here .

COMING UP:?

You have a personal brand whether you know it or not. Aliza Licht , who is the author of the new book On Brand , sat down with me to talk about using your brand to get ahead in your job search and career. Make sure you follow my podcast wherever you like to listen, including Apple Podcasts , so you don't miss the episode! (You can also click "Follow" in the embed above.)

• What if your interview is with the CEO? (By Todd Dybas ) Connection is crucial when interviewing with a CEO, according to executive coach Rebecca Zucker in Forbes . Ask questions to show interest and curiosity, says Zucker. Among them should be queries about building company culture, top upcoming priorities, challenges to achieving high performance and how the CEO will measure success in this particular position. Even if the position reports to someone else, those questions will provide insight into the CEO's expectations for the role, Zucker says. Click here to see what people are saying about the advice .
• Which questions will make you stand out? (By Jennifer Ryan ) Asking the right questions as a job candidate can give you an edge over the competition. Career strategist Snjezana Billian recalls a decision she made in relation to two candidates competing for a role. Both had great experience, education, and character. What set them apart was that one asked many questions about the employer and the team. "She referred to the company blog and asked about examples of how we lived diversity in the organisation," says Billian. The hiring panel felt this signaled that she would be successful in the role. "Remember that your ability to turn an interview into a conversation is a sign of confidence and competence," she adds. Click here to find out more .
• What are the elements of the perfect follow-up email? (By Todd Dybas ) The post-application email is one way to stand out and help your chances of getting hired. Resume writer Annette Richmond told Welcome to the Jungle that job seekers have nothing to lose from sending a follow-up email. Send the email as soon as possible, says Richmond. Following up more than once and finding someone via your network who can make a personal comment is recommended, she adds. Avoid writing errors and negativity. Last, hang in there. “Don’t be discouraged because there are so many people for every application," Richmond says. Click here to see what people are saying about the advice.

Change is constant —?especially when you're in the middle of a job search. The ultimate goal is to harness change for your benefit, but a crucial step toward that is to tolerate change. This LinkedIn Learning course will give you the foundation needed to cope with change. You can watch it below or by clicking here .