In today’s social media-driven world, you’re likely to get noticed by recruiters on LinkedIn and Twitter if you take full advantage of these platforms. If you don’t want to miss out on opportunities, follow these tips.
Q: I recently missed out on a job opportunity because it never occurred to me that a hiring manager might try to contact me on Twitter or LinkedIn. I expected a phone call or email. What should I know about being contacted this way, so this doesn’t happen again?
A: Looking for a new job is always challenging, and it’s become even more difficult since the COVID-19 crisis arrived, causing many employers to slow or stop their hiring. But there are still jobs out there, and in today’s social media-driven world, you are much more likely to get a message from a recruiter on LinkedIn or Twitter than a phone call.
If you don’t have a Twitter account, get one immediately. Keep in mind that a significant number of jobs are never posted on traditional job sites like Indeed, Monster, or Career Builder—but they are advertised on Twitter and especially on LinkedIn.
Don’t make the mistake of developing a basic Twitter presence, using it for a short period, and quickly becoming inactive if you don’t see immediate results or attract huge numbers of followers. It’s not about the numbers; it’s about what you do with the attention you get by posting relevant and valuable information or articles on these platforms. In other words, you need to show prospective employers that you have something worthwhile to offer.
Don’t make the mistake of developing a basic Twitter presence, using it for a short period, and quickly becoming inactive if you don’t see immediate results or attract huge numbers of followers.
Consider that in a mere 280 characters, you can impress a potential new employer with your knowledge and your passion for your work. Moreover, you can follow people who work where you’d like to work, even at the highest leadership levels. Their posts can give you a sense of the organization and its employees. Why wouldn’t you want to take advantage of that?
Many recruiters use LinkedIn to find “passive” job seekers. These are people who are not actively looking for a job. Your profile showcases your experience and your skills, so be sure it’s up to date and paints you in the best possible light.
It’s also a good idea to you use your real name in your Twitter and LinkedIn profiles, so that recruiters can easily find you and learn about your skills without having to go digging.
The only way you’ll avoid missing job opportunities on social media platforms is by understanding their value. Tap their potential today to increase your visibility, and I expect you will see results.
