9 Social Media Tips to Impress Recruiters and Land a Job

Is Social Media Presence Important for Recruiters? While your social media profile is hardly the only qualification for getting a job, it can influence the hiring decision. Here are some tips to help you make the best impression to employers using social media to seek job candidates.

1. Optimize LinkedIn

Since its launch in 2003, LinkedIn has become the largest social network for professionals. LinkedIn statistics show that eight people are hired every minute, and there are more than 58.4 million companies listed on the site. Given this data, it makes sense to use this professional online environment to connect with recruiters and gain exposure.

However, signing up for a LinkedIn account is only the first step in using the social network to your advantage. You should also learn how to optimize your LinkedIn profile to get more clients. For starters, make an effort to keep your profile up to date, upload your latest resume, use tools like the #OpenToWork feature, and engage meaningfully with others.

2. Upload suitable images

Hallie Crawford, a career coach, tells Glassdoor that your social media photos tell recruiters who you are. Social media platforms other than LinkedIn, such as Facebook and Instagram, give recruiters a more accurate view of the person behind an impressive resume.

One of the first things recruiters check is your photo album. Do you represent yourself professionally? While your personal life should be separate from work, you can’t rule out that your negative behavior could damage the company’s brand as a future employee.

That said, check your public profile photos for selfies you should never share on social media. You can easily create a professional profile picture with online tools, and use the image on your social media accounts. Think twice before uploading more photos to your albums and social media feeds.

3. Clean up your social media profiles

Similarly, insensitive rants and offensive posts (eg, insulting others or messages that are not safe for work) can affect your chances of getting hired. Keep these thoughts to yourself, write them in a personal journal, or share them with a trusted friend.

Social media can become a breeding ground for toxic messaging. Unless the topic is worth debating publicly and you can communicate reasonably well, there is no point in joining the fray. If you’re guilty of bragging on social media, learn how to clean up your social media profiles while job hunting. An automation tool like BrandYourself can make the process faster.

4. Add Value

While aggressive messaging on trivial topics can drive away recruiters, adding value to online conversations has the opposite effect. If you have the skills and experience, use your expertise to share information and educate others. Doing so lets potential employers know that you can make a positive contribution to their organization.

You can share many types of content. If you’re a creative, for example, you can share samples of your work (be sure to protect your projects from plagiarism). You can thoughtfully comment on posts or share content that inspires you, increases your knowledge, or makes you think.

5. Share Professional Achievements

Sharing achievements on social media could give you a case of impostor syndrome – the feeling that you’re not good enough and the fear that you’ll be exposed as a fraud. However, it’s also affirming to see these achievements, celebrate your network with you, and bring attention to those who may need your services.

Accomplishments you post on social media help emphasize skills that are already highlighted in your resume. Think of them as proof that you are the best person for the job. Just remember to post in a fun way. Avoid exaggeration, post in moderation, and be grateful to the people who helped you achieve your victories.

6. Proofread and Edit Your Posts

Research from Open Engineering shows that communication skills are one of the top employability skills that employers require. While everyone is entitled to make grammatical errors, it benefits job seekers to proofread and edit their social media posts for clarity and effectiveness.

Well-crafted posts show recruiters that you have the basic skills to communicate with coworkers, leaders, and clients. Nowadays, it’s easy to autocorrect captions or online responses using an app like Grammarly. Remember to be judgmental when you accept the AI’s suggestions, though don’t lose your voice and forget context during editing and proofreading.