Social media is part of the job search process. You should use social
media to help you find job openings and target specific companies. Once
you score that interview, you shouldn’t forget the power of social
media.
1. Check the business’s social media profiles
Do your research: it’s important to walk into a job interview
informed. Start with their website and move to their social media sites.
It’s easiest to find their social media sites through their official
webpage.
2. Do a search on Twitter
Check to see what other people are saying about the company. See how
the company uses Twitter. Do they have a sense of humor, are they active
or have they failed to tweet for over two months.
3. Look up the individual(s) interviewing you
Check out the interviewer’s personal and professional social media
sites to get a better understanding of who they are and what they are
looking for. Learn about how they use social media and their specific
role at the company.
4. Look at their Pinterest boards
Pinterest often gives a unique window into a company. It can display
company culture in photos. The fact that they have Pinterest boards in
the first place says a lot about the company.
5. Get social
Consider re-tweeting or liking individual posts on the company’s
social media sites. This shows that you have done your homework. This is
a fine line, so use your previous research to help you decide what’s a
good fit.
6. Be on top your game
Search social media for general industry terms to be on top of what
is happening. Nothing is worse than walking into an interview without
the latest information in your field.
7. Focus on your social media profiles
Make sure to update your profiles to show them that you’re on the
cutting edge of your field and on top of social media. Post industry
news on your social sites.
8. Check out other employees
See who works at the company. Check out what they do and who they
are. This can help you understand the company culture better and give
you an idea of whom the company hires.
9. Look at the company profile on LinkedIn
Take a look at the company overview, careers and employee insights.
See how big the company is and if any of your connections connect you to
the company. If this is one of your target companies be sure to follow
them on LinkedIn.
10. Beef up security
Clean up your social media. You know the photo of you dancing on the
bar last weekend? Take it down. If you can’t guarantee that everything
on your Facebook is appropriate for an employer and your grandma make it
private.
11. Google yourself
Know what is going to come up when your name is typed into Google.
It’s best to be aware of this because most, if not all employers will
Google you.
12. Read the company blog
Be aware of what the company is currently working on and talking
about. Take it a step further and formulate an opinion on the topic.
Craft questions to ask during the interview related to the current
happenings at the company and how your potential role will fit into the
scheme of things.
With the recovering economy, the job search can be a tough place to
be. Using these tips on social media combined with normal interview
preparation can propel you to the top of the candidate pile and even
land you the job.
What things do you do on social media before you go to an interview?
