Using Social Media to Find the Perfect Job

Finding a job in the techno age is much easier in some aspects and much trickier in others. Scouring Internet job sites such as CareerBuilder enables job seekers to quickly and efficiently find a job that fits their skills without having to venture door-to-door, resume in hand. College students in particular have a wide array of options to use in the job hunting process, such as social media. Social media allows a job applicant to literally search the world for his or her "perfect job" opportunity. Job boards and company websites are becoming stale in the job search arena.

College students today are very familiar with many social media platforms such as MySpace, Twitter and Facebook. Each site allows students to make friends, find love and most importantly, network. Before discussing the details of using social media to find work, it is important to note that these websites can actually hurt a job applicant if not used properly. Job seekers need to be very conscious of the material that is posted on a social media profile. 

Many people post pictures and sayings on their social media profiles that are not only crude in nature, but speak very little of a person’s character. It is estimated that about one in five hiring managers use social media sites like Facebook to conduct a modern day background check on prospective employees. Maintaining a decent social media profile is very important when applying for a job, because employers may pass up a candidate who displays inappropriate pictures, words or activities.

As for job prospects, social media allows applicants to tailor their search to the perfect job; impress the company to obtain an interview by presenting a solid profile, and then impress the company by researching it beforehand. Sometimes even the key executives will have a social media profile. This also offers job seekers a chance to show not only an avid interest in the company, but also expertise when going through the hiring process. Social media sites offer unique ways to share portfolios or anything else that showcases a graduate’s talents.

Using social media sites properly facilitates the job search process and can lead to the perfect job opportunity for the right person.

This post is brought to you by Argosy University. Drawing upon our more than 30-year history of granting degrees in professional psychology, Argosy University has developed a curriculum that focuses on interpersonal skills and practical experience alongside academic learning. Because getting a degree is one thing. Succeeding, quite another.