Unless you've been hiding out under a rock, you know social media (and social media staffing) is an incredibly powerful tool for brands wanting to build a strong digital presence. This is also true for marketers' personal brands – whether you're looking for a new job or looking to get out of your current one, social media can be a great tool for building your credibility.
From Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn to Snapchat, the power of these major social networking platforms can be a valuable weapon in helping you advance your marketing career down the right path. It is one of the most effective tools in not only building corporate brands but also your personal brand and reputation as a professional.
The hiring and executive recruitment process has dramatically transformed, especially in the digital marketing world. Whether you believe it's fair or not, recruiters and employers are going to check social media profiles to find top candidates and . This is doubly important for marketing professionals, who will not only be judged by their behavior on social channels but also how deftly they use them.
As a marketing recruitment agency, we've come across a lot of mistakes that marketing professionals make on social media that unfortunately hinder their potential for a new job and career growth. A poor social media presence can cost you to lose out on a great job opportunity.
According to CareerBuilder, 70 percent of employers say they use social media to consider candidates before choosing to hire them. CareerBuilder also found that 61 percent of companies are looking for certain information to support candidates' qualifications for jobs through their social media profiles. In addition:
Taking the time to polish up your social media profiles to be in great standing is so important – especially if you're applying for certain fields like social media marketing. Improve your chances of being hired by using the powers of social media to enhance your skills and credibility as the top candidate for the job.
Here are a few ways to enhance your social media marketing profiles when looking to advance your career and how to successfully make yourself stand out in a crowded job market.
1. Be Present and Active on Social MediaYou may think it's better off to have no social networking accounts at all when looking for a job but social media has become such an integral part of how we communicate – personally and professionally. In fact, 57 percent of companies are less likely to start the interview process with a candidate they can't find online.
It may sound a bit ridiculous that being present on social media is necessary to be considered for a job but if used strategically, your social media can open up great opportunities for your career.
2. Stay Active on Social MediaJust as it's important to be present on social media, it's even more important to be active. It's one thing to have social media but successfully keeping up with it is where it counts.
Fully equip all of your accounts with updated, relevant information regarding your work experience and skills. Display all of your valuable accomplishments and awards. This is especially important for platforms like LinkedIn where your skills and work history hold the spotlight.
Your resume should match up with the information you have on your actual profile. Any information that doesn't match up on any one of your social accounts will confuse recruiters and employers so pay attention to all of the details – incomplete and inaccurate information will make you seem unprofessional and unprepared.
Also, don't forget to have a professional profile picture and show off that great smile!
3. Show Off Your Personality + Creativity
Marketing recruitment agencies always consider how candidates will fit in with the culture of a company. Sure you may have all of the necessary technical skills and valuable experience, but if your personality isn't a great match with the company, it could be a recipe for disaster.
36 percent of companies have said that someone's creativity displayed through social media made an impact on a hiring decision. Use your social media networks to show off your personality and creativity – show them that you're more than just a one-dimensional marketing robot! Your personality and charisma can help you seal the deal on a job offer.
4. Be Cautious of Everything You PostThis is obvious but one that needs constant reiteration. One of the biggest mistakes marketing recruitment agencies see candidates make is posting tasteless content, thinking it won't be seen by employers. However, the Internet is an open space to see everything and even dig up old dirt so make sure to be conscientious of what you post.
If you're afraid you might slip up and want to be cautious, you can make your profiles private from the public on Twitter and Instagram. You also have the option to configure Facebook's extensive privacy settings. However, keep in mind that keeping your social media so private may deter hiring recruiters away, and like you're hiding something. Police your social media profiles with a watchful eye.
You want to project yourself as professional a candidate as possible. Instead of being cautious of things you shouldn't post that would prevent you from getting a job, focus on things you should post to increase your chances of getting one instead.
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5. Make Valuable Connections
Connecting with other professionals in your industry is a great way to build your credibility. Join relevant groups on LinkedIn and Facebook and engage with them to effectively grow your network. Simply introduce yourself to other professionals and post relevant content to build your validity as a marketing expert.
Building long-lasting relationships with other professionals will help you make a great impression that could increase the chances of them reaching out to you for future job and work opportunities.
If you've connected with current and former colleagues, managers, and direct reports over the years (and you should have), try to get some recommendations from them. That's one of the best ways you can stand out to any marketing recruiter,
6. Actively Look for JobsYou've probably come across major job search engines like Monster, ZipRecruiter and Indeed. While these platforms are great sources to look for jobs, actively looking for jobs on companies' Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn pages is important as well.
Take advantage of search engines on social media networks to find new job openings and positions. LinkedIn is the primary social media platform to look for new opportunities and connect with employers. Social media giant Facebook has a Jobs feature that helps connect employers and job seekers. Google has also recently released its Google for Jobs tools that works as a great search engine to discover new marketing opportunities.
Sitting and passively waiting for a job to fall in your lap isn't going to increase your chances of landing a new job. Follow companies in your field and industry to get the most recent updates on new job openings and relevant news.
7. Use Relevant KeywordsMarketing recruitment firms and employers use certain keywords to search for in resumes when looking for potential candidates. Make sure you include relevant keywords that fit the job position you're applying for in your resume, LinkedIn profile, and wherever else you see fit.
For example, if you're applying for an SEO analyst position, include keywords like "SEO strategy" or "keyword analysis" to boost your visibility in the search engine. Incorporating keywords employers are looking for will grow your chances of being found among a mass of potential candidates.
8. Be Easily ReachableOn the appropriate networks, like LinkedIn, make sure directions to contact you can be easily found so recruiters can contact you conveniently.
Most social networks have different settings you can adjust to make it possible for someone to engage with you, even if you don't have an immediate connection.
Frequently check your inbox on your social media accounts to respond as quickly as possible to potential employers reaching out to you. Today's marketing jobs are filled fast! Time is crucial and can be a determining factor of whether you get a job or not.
9. Blog
Just like businesses use blogs to share industry knowledge and stay relevant, consider writing an article that's relevant to the position you're applying for. This will show that you have extensive knowledge in the industry and a great way to demonstrate your great communication skills – something that every employer values.
This doesn't mean you have to start your own blog or website – you can write relevant pieces of content on LinkedIn! However, if you do happen to have your own blog, post it on LinkedIn as well to make it easily accessible for recruiters to read. Make yourself a resource for knowledge and industry advice – taking the time to share your expertise will certainly impress employers.
10. Police your social media even after you get the jobGot the job you've been going after? Congrats! You've passed the rigorous social media screening process and have been accomplished getting the position. However, don't fall in the trap of thinking your social presence is now a separate entity from your professional life… These two aspects are connected now more than ever.
Marketing recruitment agencies often find that marketers neglect or misuse their social media networks after they get a job, which is a big mistake. Employees still have to be careful of what they post on social – your employer can easily find your profiles and see all of your online activity.
Don't complain how much you hate you coworkers or about that annoying customer you had to deal with – your boss won't hesitate to take action. One small mishap can cause you to lose that position you worked so hard to get.
Author: Mark Miller Mark Miller is Marketing Manager for MarketPro, a marketing recruitment firm. He writes about marketing career growth and development, marketing job hunting advice, and trends that affect the day-to-day work of marketers. He also creates content oriented towards business managers on how to hire marketers, how to build high-performing teams, and how… View full profile ›
Source: 10 Ways to Use Social Media to Enhance Your Qualifications as the Top Marketing Candidate
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