Social media can help you find a job and connect with people who can help you to develop your career. Facebook is the UK’s most popular social media platform, with 42m UK users, and while it’s a great place to connect with family and friends, it can also be an effective tool for finding your next job. Here’s how.
Promote yourself on your Facebook page
Include a link to your CV or your LinkedIn page on your profile and make it clear if you are looking for work. However, don’t do this if you are currently employed, you don’t want your current employer to see it.
Highlight your skills and experience using the tools Facebook gives you
Take pictures of your projects or latest work and upload the photos. Use your events calendar to promote any speaking engagements or seminars you are attending. Highlight the associations you’re a member of to boast your credentials.
Be picky about the organisations you ‘like’
You want to be perceived as passionate about a specific career, not just looking at working for any organisation that will give you a job. ‘Like’ work-related pages and join industry relevant groups.
Say something sensible
The beauty of social media is that you can get involved in debates and discussions about things that matter to you and your profession. Get involved, but make sure you have something relevant and reasoned to say. It’s a good way to get noticed and develop strong contacts.
Smile for the camera
These days it is almost inevitable that a potential employer will check your online profile. Employers aren’t expecting to see you in a professional surrounding but avoid 4am “worse for wear” pictures.
Review your privacy settings
Make sure your privacy settings are set to the level you want – ideally a setting which doesn’t allow just anyone to view your profile. Consider what audiences you want to be able to view your status u[dates, photographs and other interactions. Keep in mind that when you share something on someone else’s timeline, they control the audience for that post. Facebook provides a comprehensive guide to controlling your privacy settings here: https://www.facebook.com/help/325807937506242
Facebook Jobs
Employers can post jobs directly to their company page or a specific jobs page via Jobs on Facebook, and you can apply to those jobs directly through Facebook. Visit facebook.com/jobs and search for jobs in and around a particular location, filtering by job type and sector.
The National Careers Service provides free, up to date, impartial information, advice and guidance on careers, skills and the labour market in England to anyone aged 13 and upwards.
To speak to a National Careers Service adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our webchat (8:00am to 10:00pm, 7 days a week)
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