Optimize your social profiles and watch the opportunities roll in.
Did you know that 87 percent of recruiters regularly use LinkedIn to find talent? In fact, as of 2021, three people were hired every minute on LinkedIn – and countless others secured interviews through other networking platforms. It’s clear that the professional world has moved online, with social media being used as a powerful recruitment tool. But if you’re not optimizing your online profiles, that means you’re missing out on some serious career opportunities.
So, how do you set up your social media for success? Here are four key tips to keep in mind.
- Be strategic.
When it comes to standing out on social media, it’s important to know your audience. A one-size-fits-all approach won’t do you any favours when it’s not relevant to your industry. Instead of going in blind, do some research on your favourite companies and take notes on their online behaviour.
One way to do this is by following certain brands or related hashtags on LinkedIn (or on other relevant platforms). This way, you’ll be automatically updated when they share new information. Not only will you get a feel for the business, but you’ll also be able to interact with their posts, see new job listings, and reflect some of their messaging or values on your own page.
You may not land your dream job right off the bat, but you can set actionable goals for yourself and eventually, you’ll see progress. It could be as simple as connecting with 3-5 relevant people a week on LinkedIn, or engaging in several conversations about your industry on Twitter. As long as you’re remaining active, you’re setting yourself up to be noticed.
- Measure your success.
Social media is always changing, which means you should be, too. That doesn’t mean you need to reinvent the wheel every time there’s a new update, but it does mean you should keep tabs on fresh features as well as what’s worked – or not worked – in the past.
Avoid getting stuck in the same-old by trying different things: change when you’re posting, who you’re following, or what content you’re pushing out. Most social platforms offer some form of free analytics so you can monitor your page’s traffic – take advantage of these, and don’t be afraid to switch things up.
For instance, this could mean shifting your LinkedIn headline or past role descriptions to include different keywords from your ideal job postings. You could also try updating your profile picture and bio, getting a LinkedIn Skills Certification, or swapping text posts for polls, videos, or infographics. There are a ton of ways to experiment, just make sure you’re tracking your wins along the way!
- Tell a story.
Your resume may be great, but it shouldn’t be the only place where your accomplishments shine. Think of your profile like a portfolio: it should be full of past wins and projects that show off your best side. The content itself, as well as the way it’s arranged, should reflect your skills and understanding of your industry. Don’t just list what you’ve done, prove it with engaging storytelling and examples!
Plus, unlike a standard CV, your social media pages can bring a little more personality to the table. By sharing your side hustles and out-of-office hobbies, recruiters can get a sense of whether you’ll be a culture fit – and naturally, you’ll gain connections with those who share similar interests. Bigger network = better chances for finding that perfect professional match.
- Be genuine.
The most successful brands are those who have turned their product into an experience – and the same goes for your personal brand. If you are genuine with your online personality, you will attract the type of company you want to work for. After all, hiring managers are humans too – and since 86 percent of people say authenticity is important when deciding which brands to support, you can bet they’re thinking the same when it comes to selecting candidates.
It pays to be thoughtful with what you’re putting on your page. Quality over quantity rings true here; posting one well thought out story is better than posting 20 pieces of quick clickbait. Using intentional, honest language to describe yourself is always preferable to using vague terms or clichéd buzzwords like guru, ninja, thought leader, or expert.
This translates to the networking side of social media, too. When you’re building your list of contacts, select your connections carefully instead of spamming invites and robotic messages to just anyone. Ask people to meet for a quick coffee chat, write personal recommendations, and nurture new relationships by offering free help or checking in every so often. Simply put, portray the best version of you – but remember to keep it real.
So there you have it: four impactful ways to optimize your social media accounts and attract the job you deserve! By putting consistent effort into your LinkedIn page, you’re bound to book an interview… but if you’d like more tips on how to upgrade your career game, join the Pivot + Edge Talent Network. We’re always sharing our top career insights, job postings and all the latest news from our team – and we can’t wait to connect with you!
