Life at CBSbutler

APSCo social media workshop 17/10/2011

I recently attended a seminar on social media by APSCo which reinforced just how vital it is for consultants to keep up to date with new developments in this area.

Put simply, the job of a recruiter is to find the best employee for a position. As such, industry contacts and expertise have traditionally been the best methods to locate a perfect match. But today consultants are increasingly looking to social media.

LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have over 535 million combined users. That equates to a lot of potential talent for a company. The seminar was a success and focused on how to maximise LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. The key, it appears, when using social media platforms is creating relevance – following and engaging with significant people and creating dialogue.

If recruiters are increasingly looking to source talent via social media, do job seekers need to improve their online presence? We suspect so. Here are our top tips for candidates using social media:

1. Google yourself

Remember that any social media profile you have can be found through a simple Google search. Make sure that there is nothing in the public domain that you wouldn’t want a potential employer to see.  An unfortunate picture, or an inappropriate discussion with a friend that may have happened years ago could cost you a future job. And if you are using Facebook, a good way to make sure only your friends see what you post is through the privacy settings.

2. Make connections

If you’re using LinkedIn, make sure you are connecting with old and new faces. By expanding your network you will be able to access many more potential employers, but also, and importantly, you will be visible and show up in searches. But don’t make the mistake of adding every member of an organisation that you want to work for. Not only do you run the risk of being ignored, you may also ruin your chances of working there by alienating staff members. Be selective in who you send an invitation to connect with.

And if you are using Twitter, start following experts in the field that you are interested in and begin commenting on what they are discussing. This will make you more visible and the more you engage, the more followers you will get.

3. Be active

Be active and contribute to online discussions and forums. Provide insight and share your ideas on any bogs you are following, and retweet interesting posts you see on Twitter. Not only will you gain more information, but you may just make some new connections or learn of job opportunities in the process. By joining relevant groups on LinkedIn, you will expand your network. And by commenting on discussions, your ability to be seen by hirer’s will increase, and you will begin to stand out.

4. Stay updated

Make sure that all your social media profiles are up to date and current. On LinkedIn don’t forget to add volunteer and internship placements you may have undertaken. This information can only enhance your profile. You should also take advantage of the ‘Recommendation’ options on LinkedIn – get past colleagues, mangers, or clients to recommend your previous work. This will show up on your profile and is a place employers will check when looking at potential candidates.

5. Research

Last but by no means least, use social media to research your potential boss.  Viewing an organisation’s website is no longer deemed sufficient research. Search your future company’s Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter accounts. Knowing the business will give you an added advantage in your interview and will show that you are resourceful.

Let us know what you think? How has social media helped you in your job search? Do you think that traditional methods are now old hat?