Submitting an online job application is now the preferred method of receiving applications for most companies. But, your job efforts shouldn’t stop there; you will improve your chances of getting hired by incorporating social media and visual details in your job-hunt. You can use LinkedIn to gain more knowledge about your industry, network, and connect with employers. Twitter will help you stay up to date with job news and postings. Creating a portfolio is a great way to help recruiters get a better understanding of you. Networking and learning more about your field of work is a good place to start.
Join LinkedIn groups in your profession, and engage in discussions. This will help you learn more about your profession, as well as hear about new job postings. You can then connect with others in your field and ask for an informational interview, which can help your job hunt. You can find out company information and apply to jobs using your online profile. Take the next step by sending a message to hiring managers to introduce yourself. LinkedIn tells you if one of your connections works at a company you’ve applied for, which can help you get an introduction or interview. You can take a similar approach with Twitter.
You can also use Twitter to search for job using hashtags. You can then use lists to find people to follow. Harness the full effect of Twitter by following companies and prominent individuals in your work field; they will tweet about career advice and job vacancies. Following companies will also keep you constantly up to date with news, career fairs and meet-ups. You can engage with others by replying to tweets and retweeting them. Now that you’ve developed your network, it’s important to display your work!
Go Visual
You can create an extension of yourself that showcases your talents and skills. Make an online portfolio that gives recruiters an in-depth understanding of your work. You can make a presentation of your projects and accomplishments using programs such as SlideShare or Scribd. Write and update a professional blog to show your expertise, opinions, and enthusiasm. You can also create a YouTube video resume or videos that highlight your technical skills and show your personality. Be sure to attach a link to your portfolio, professional blog, SlideShare, or YouTube channel on your LinkedIn profile to pull together all your efforts!
More than a Resume
A well crafted resume is essential, but will only get you so far in the online application process. Social media can help you network with others in your field and connect with recruiters. Employers will Google you to see your online presence, and view your LinkedIn profile and portfolio. You can use this to your advantage by using multiple channels to showcase your professional work. Taking a comprehensive approach to your job hunt will create a bigger impression and increase your likelihood of getting hired. After all, recruiters hire based on skills and how well someone will fit in their company.
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