Why social media could be your secret weapon to scoring that next job

Why social media could be your secret weapon to scoring that next jobWhy social media could be your secret weapon to scoring that next jobIts not common to think that social media and job searching go perfectly hand in hand. In fact, many people keep their accounts private just in case. While we agree that you shouldnt be deutsche post aging your fourth time doing a shot-ski to Instagram for the world to see, if youre smart about how you use social media, it could help you score your next job.1. Use it to do some digging on a company that interests youThe fruchtwein obvious way to use social media? Do some hard research on the company and people who work there who you cant find on Glassdoor. On LinkedIn alone, youll find useful information on the organization and who works there. Beyond that, take a look at the companys social media presence. Watch relevant Facebook live videos and Instagram stories, and check out tweets that you could find useful.This type of research can help prepa re you for an interview. Imagine saying, I saw you had X person in your speaker series last week on Facebook live, and I loved what she had to say. Beyond that, it could help you find the right person to contact about job opportunities.2. Reach out to a contact (if the opportunity feels right)You may be able to find someones contact information through social media, but why not reach out on social media? Seems weird, right? Depending on your industry, consider taking a shot at saying hello to someone through a Facebook message or Instagram comment. Though the opportunity doesnt always feel natural, try it when it does.3. Let the world know youre lookingThis little trick only works if you dont currently have a job (since you dont want to publicly say youre looking for new opportunities in plain sight of your employer). But if youre on the hunt with no strings attached, post and tweet that youre on the market. It makes you more visible to recruiters through keyword searches on social and it notifies your entire network that youre looking. An old coworker or acquaintance could see your post and connect you with someone he or she knows.4. Make the most out of that bioHey, you want that job, right? Dont just utilize your posts or tweets for the job search - use your bio, too. Hyperlink your resume or portfolio for recruiters, hiring managers and potential employers to see so they can check out your credentials on the spot. Highlight work that youve done and make it clear youre on the hunt for that next big break.5. Update your anthroponym and social handles to be easy to find on Google searchWhile our teenage selves were quick to change our social media handles to exclude our last names (for safety), were adults who want to be seen - by the right people, of course. Make sure your full name is clearly displayed on your social media accounts so you can be found.This post was originally published on Swirled.com.