Here are four reasons to use social media in your job search.
You Can Become an Expert
Demonstrating a deeper knowledge about the industry you’re in — or would like to be in — through blogging builds your credibility, says Lisa Parkin, CEO of social media consultancy Social Climber. “Whether it’s on a personal website or on a dedicated blog about the industry they’re seeking employment in, job hunters can show potential employers their knowledge and skill sets by writing about a news event or relevant topic once or twice a week.”
It Shows You’re Not Afraid of Technology
You don’t have to be an expert, but having a social media presence shows you care about your professional reputation and you’re comfortable using technology, says Brie Weiler Reynolds, director of online content at FlexJobs.
Pinterest is a good site to try something innovative with your job search, she says. “Create a board for your resume where you pin pictures of your work experience and education such as pictures of the college you attended, the companies you’ve worked for, and so on. Pinterest is especially interesting because it helps you create a visual out of your resume, which is traditionally a text document.”
You Can Blog Your Way to a Job
“Some of my favorite bloggers are small companies, and surprisingly, many of them are always looking for marketing and sales support,” Bramer says. If you’ve blogged about a company before, it can help strengthen your pitch when you apply there. As someone who routinely manages content writers and PR specialists, she says, “some of our best writers have been found by forging a relationship on a social network.”
You Can Learn About a Company’s Culture
