Do's and Don'ts of a Job Search Using Social Media

Do’s

Have a complete profile for all of the social media sites that you participate in. It is a good idea to have a blog or other URL that you can refer people to. If you don’t have a blog, you might create a web resume and use that URL on Twitter and LinkedIn where hiring managers and recruiters can learn more about your background.

Learn about the etiquette that is expected on each different social media site. LinkedIn is a professional site, so you should conduct yourself accordingly. Facebook is often a mixture of personal and professional, and because of the brevity of your posts (or tweets) on Twitter, you can use a lot of abbreviations.

Give as well as get. Be willing to share your expertise so that social networking is a two-way street. For example, if someone posts a question that you know the answer to, respond to the question so that you can be generous with your knowledge.

Be open to connecting with a lot of different people to extend your reach on social networking sites. The more people who know about you and what you have to offer is the more that you open yourself up to potential opportunities.

Don’ts

Don’t expect to find a job immediately just because you are using social media. You have to build relationships with people, and that takes time.

Don’t simply fill out your profile and expect to be found by a hiring manager. Get involved with each site that you are a member of so that you can get the most out of it.

Don’t wait for people to connect with you. Connect with them. Actively seek out people in your field that you can connect with. Most people will connect with you because they are on social media sites to network.

Find groups of likeminded people that you can join. Groups are a good way to find out what people are talking about and join the discussion. Participating in groups can raise your visibility.