Use Social Media Trends to Land a New Job

Did you know that jumping on certain social media trends can help in the process of landing a new job? Gone are the days of creating a traditional resume, sending it off, and hoping for the best. These days prospective employers are looking for more from prospects. Fortunately there are ways to stand head and shoulders above the competition. Here are some ideas for landing a new career.

Use LinkedIn to it's fullest.

If you're not on LinkedIn, you're missing out on a huge opportunity. LinkedIn is more than just a business networking site. Many employers have company profiles on LinkedIn and the site can be used for introductions to prospective hiring managers and decision makers. If approached in the right manner, LinkedIn can even be a way to "jump over" the HR department and get directly in contact with higher-ups within an organization. This is a social media trend worth following. Don't overlook LinkedIn.

Do your reserch

A lot of research can be done by adapting to current social media trends. Does your dream employer have a Facebook page, a blog, or a Twitter account? Follow, friend, and subscribe at will. The more you know about the company, the better off you'll be at positioning yourself to succeed. Sites like Glassdoor.com can be used to research job salaries and pay programs. By taping into social networks like Glassdoor, you can appropriately negotiate salary and latch onto the most appropriate positions.

Present yourself in a positive light

There are numerous horror stories of job seekers who have less than appropriate pictures online or voice their opinions over public channels. Be very careful of what you post online, because everything that is public is public forever. This means hiding certain pictures on Facebook, keeping Flickr and other photo accounts full of only pictures you want others to see, and keeping some videos off of YouTube. If it's not appropriate for your grandmother to see, then keep it offline or manage your privacy settings accordingly. Employers are looking at your social network before making hiring decisions. Also remember to have common sense when publishing online. Be careful about who or what you speak negatively about.

Network with others

With some careful searching, you can find and network with other job seekers online. Sometimes it's who you know that really helps take your career to another level. By joining online forums, being active on certain blogs, and following like minded people on Twitter, you increase your visibility and social network potential. Don't be afraid to use the latest social media trends to tap into online communities where your skill sit or knowledge of a particular topic can be used to help others.  You just might help someone who can connect you with a new career opportunity.

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