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Top 10 social media tips for jobseekers – Domestic & General

Written by: Domestic & General
Published on: 1 Sep 2015

LoveLocalJobs.com are happy to share the latest news from our Founding Partner Domestic & General.

With almost half the UK population now using social media, those looking for work need to be aware their online footprint could impact their chances of prospective employment. The good news is there are things you can do to ensure your online activity reflects on you positively.

Here, Domestic & General’s Online Recruitment Manager, Mark Watson gives his top 10 social media tips for jobseekers:

1. Build your own personal brand – what you say and do on social media is a reflection of your life offline and helps build your own personal brand. Information stays online for a long time so if you’re job seeking, or think you may be in the next few years, be careful not to post anything you wouldn’t want a prospective employer to see.

2. Use different channels appropriately – as a company, we only research candidates via LinkedIn, but while most of us understand the channel is business-focused and works as a professional business platform, you’d be surprised how many people still use it in the wrong way. Steer clear of posting anything on LinkedIn that isn’t related to your work or expertise and make sure what you have posted is professional and up to date. Keep personal opinions and photos for Facebook and make sure you have a professional looking profile image.

3. Update your privacy settings – it’s advisable to edit your Facebook privacy settings so only your friends can see your personal information and posts. However most people will still be able to see your profile and cover photo so think twice about which one you choose.

4. Think tactically about the information you share – tactical job seekers may decide to make certain information such as ‘interests’ visible on their profile, which if seen by an employer may increase their chances of getting the job.

5. Spellcheck – it’s basic but spelling and grammar is really important for LinkedIn and Twitter users. Prospective employers can easily see your posts on these channels and carelessness could cost you a job offer.

6. Network – if applying for a specific job role, Twitter users can use the channel to connect with industry experts, while posting and sharing relevant content. This implies you’re a good networker; you take an active interest and are up to date on what’s going on in the sector.

7. Use keywords – to make yourself easily searchable and more visible to recruiters and headhunters, ensure your profile descriptions are key word rich.

8. Get noticed – if you’ve applied for a job at a particular company, follow and like it on social media. As well as offering another way of getting in front of them, it will give you a feel for the company, and will help you stay abreast of latest news and job opportunities.

9. Don’t over share – if you’ve been for an interview, steer clear of commenting on it via social media. A lot of companies monitor for social media mentions and you wouldn’t want to get caught out saying something negative or inappropriate.

10. Stay active – make sure your LinkedIn and Twitter accounts are being updated regularly. Consistency is key. If you’re sharing quality information, particularly centered on a particular subject or sector, this will also help increase your followers and online influence, which will make you more attractive to prospective employers.