12 Practical Social Media Hacks To Get The Job You Want

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Standing out from the crowd when looking for a job can be difficult.  However, there are a number of social media tips that you should consider to help you get hired fast and stand out in a crowded job market.

#1. Complete Social Media Accounts

You need to ensure that you have up to date and accurate Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook profiles.  An incomplete profile on LinkedIn is a sure way to be rejected from the job that you want.  Taking the time to complete the profile will make you more appealing.

#2. Matchup All Profiles

It is important that your LinkedIn profile and resume match.  The information that you have on your social profiles need to make and should not contradict each other or your resume.  Any inconsistencies will be an instant rejection from the job that you apply for.

#3. Have Professional Profile Pictures

The image you portray on your profile is important.  You should consider having a professional headshot for your LinkedIn profile picture.  The same picture should be used on Twitter.  It is also important that you not have any salacious profile pictures on Facebook because employers are going to be looking at your Facebook.

#4. Keep Facebook And Twitter Clean

Hiring managers are going to be looking at your social media including your Facebook.  A survey of hiring managers has shown that 50% of candidates are disqualified based on something they have posted on Facebook.  You need to keep your feed clean with no bad language, racist statements or salacious pictures.  You should also avoid complaining about your past jobs or whine about politics. 

Many candidates choose to keep their Facebook private to avoid having to keep it clean.  However, many hiring managers will choose a candidate that has an open Facebook because they are able to see the type of person they are.

#5. English 101

You should always use correct spelling, diction and grammar when you post on social media.  A post of "There party waz kool, lol" could be what disqualifies you from the job that you want.  The hiring manager may assume that someone else wrote your perfect resume.  Social media is where the hiring manager thinks you think they are not looking. 

#6. Search Social Media Every Day

Searching LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook every day for jobs is a good idea.  You can join relevant LinkedIn and Facebook groups and search Twitter by hashtag and company name.  There are many companies that post jobs on Twitter before anywhere else. 

• Connect and build your network
• Take recommendations (and endorsements) seriously
• Write thoughtful networking emails.

#7. Connect A Lot

Connect with people on LinkedIn and Twitter at companies that you want to work for.  You also need to accept connection or follow requests from any real people.  You never know when a new connection could lead to a job. If you want to set this to automatic, then Like4like is a new tool that can help do this.

#8. Use Industry Speak

When you are writing a resume or cover letter you need to use jargon from your industry.  This is particularly important for LinkedIn where you are trying to be noticed by employers or recruiters.

#9. Use Keywords

Most companies will have automated searches for resumes and LinkedIn profiles.  This means that you need to look at their job descriptions for keywords that they would use.  You should then make sure that these keywords are in your resume.  For example if youre a skilled developer in PHP or CSS, this keyword can be added to the following sections in your Linkedin profile:

• Headline
• Summary
• Job Titles in Experience
• Experience
• Recommendations
• Skills

#10. Email Address

You need to match your email address to your name or as close as possible.  The cute email from university will not work.

• Always Use Your Own Domain (JDoe@YourBusiness.com instead of JDoe@Yahoo.com)
• Avoid Nicknames and Numbers: Use a Standard Email Format Instead
• Create Special Email Addresses to Display On Your Website

#11. Have Social Media Links

You should place links to your social media in your email signature.  These links should also be on your personal website and resume.

#12. Blog It

Writing an article about a topic relevant to your industry and desired job shows that you are serious and knowledgeable.  If you do not have a blog or website then you can post the article on LinkedIn Pulse.