Tips and advice for using social media to find work.

1. Job hunting
with social media
John McMenamin
Careers Consultant
Career Development Centre

2. Objectives
• Be aware of the various social media platforms
• Be aware of how to use those platforms
effectively to sell yourself and expand your
network and visibility to employers
• Finding jobs using social media

3. Source: www.ciphr.com/the-ultimate-social-media-guide-to-getting-a-job/

5. CHOOSE A PLATFORM
THAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU
• Twitter/Facebook/Google+
– media, social media, marketing, creative
• LinkedIn
– Professional, managerial, consultancy, finance, corporate
• Instagram/Pinterest
– visual, design, textiles, architecture, creative

6. Source: www.ciphr.com/the-ultimate-social-media-guide-to-getting-a-job/

9. Source: www.ciphr.com/the-ultimate-social-media-guide-to-getting-a-job/

12. 1. Customize your URL
LinkedIn will assign you a Web address when you
create a profile, but you can write your own URL.
Click the drop-down menu next to the "Edit" tab
and then click on "Public profile settings." Halfway
down the page, click on the blue phrase,
"Customize your public profile URL." Try using your
first and last name, with no spaces, and then other
variants of your name. This will drive your
LinkedIn page up toward the top of a Google
search.
2. Write a crisp, detailed summary of your career
Shoot for 100-300 words and try to tell a compelling
story about yourself that includes specifics and
quantifiable achievements.
http://www.forbes.com/pictures/fgdi45ihfk/make-linkedin-help-you-find-a-job/

13. 3. Flesh out the experience section
This is your chance to write an online resume.
Many people only include their current job. Take
the time to list the significant positions that built
your career.
4. List your skills
This section offers a shorthand way to tell employers
what you can do and gives your connections the
chance to endorse you for each skill.

14. 5. Get at least five recommendations
Ask your boss, former boss and
possibly a colleague or someone who
has reported to you to write something
glowing. It's OK to offer to write it
yourself and then invite the person to
vet and post it.
6. Add websites that showcase your work
Include your employer's site, your personal website if
you have one and links to samples of your work or, if
you're in sales, links to clients.
7. Connect, connect, connect
Beef up your roster of connections. Add
friends, family, former colleagues and
anyone you meet and network with.
When you invite people to connect, always
send a brief personal note.

15. 8. Include keywords
Recruiters search LinkedIn for candidates. Use the key words and phrases they
use. Find examples from job descriptions you’re going after, or profiles of people
who have the jobs you want, and pepper them throughout the Summary and Skills
& Expertise sections.
dynamic
creative
customer-focussed
team leader
performer
dedicated
tenacious
commercially aware
approachable
target driven
Source: university.linkedin.com - TipSheet_FindingaJoborInternship.pdf

16. 8. Take advantage of student profile sections
Be sure to complete the profile sections designed just for students, such as
Courses, Projects, Languages, Certifications, and Organizations. Keywords are
good here too. Complete profiles get 40x more opportunities!
9. Ask your network for help
70% of jobs are found through networking. Once you connect, send customized
messages (no mass emails!) to say you’re job-hunting. Ask for advice, an
informational interview, or if they know anyone in your desired field. Connect one-
on-one and others will be willing to make the effort for you.
10. Get gutsy
Don’t be afraid to reach out directly to a recruiter on LinkedIn. One strategy is to
first apply to a position you want and then send a message to the recruiter who
posted the opportunity (you can often find this information in the job posting).
Top 5 Tips for using LinkedIn to find a job
– Aimee Bateman, careercake.com and AAT Career Coach
https://youtu.be/mselUcO8KoI?t=24s (24s to 4m58s)
Source: university.linkedin.com - TipSheet_FindingaJoborInternship.pdf

17. Source: www.ciphr.com/the-ultimate-social-media-guide-to-getting-a-job/

20. Source: www.ciphr.com/the-ultimate-social-media-guide-to-getting-a-job/

23. Finding jobs using Social Media
• The best way to search varies by platform
• The best platforms for searching for opportunities are:
– LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter
• Following/liking/connecting with the right people and
organisations can provide access to opportunities

24. Finding jobs via LinkedIn
• The “Jobs” section gives you a tailored selection of jobs
that you can view by location, seniority, size of business
and industry
• Or, you can search for ALL jobs that are advertised via
LinkedIn using a standard job search interface
• Your network gives you links to opportunities within
organisations that people in your network are connected
to

25. Finding jobs via Facebook
There are a number of ways to find
jobs via Facebook.
• Like job sites and organisations
for hints, tips and vacancies in
your news feed
• Use the apps on the pages of job
sites to search for jobs
• The best way to find an
organisation’s facebook page is to
visit their website and look for the
facebook logo (normally at the
bottom of the page) – links to
other social media channels can
be found here too

26. Finding jobs via Twitter
There are three distinct ways of finding jobs on
twitter:
1. Let the jobs find you by following accounts
that tweet links to job vacancies – typically
job sites and recruitment agencies
2. Look for hashtags that relate to your area
of interest. For instance #ukmediajobs
3. Use twitter to showcase what you can do
and people will see it and share it and
opportunities will find you – this approach
is particularly useful for freelance/self-
employed opportunities

27. Starting points
Twitter – follow:
@guardiancareers
@guardianjobs
@prospects
@TargetJobsUK
@uw_careers
@milkroundonline
Facebook – like these pages:
facebook.com/guardianjobs
facebook.com/graduateprospects
facebook.com/targetjobs
facebook.com/milkround
facebook.com/uowcareers
LinkedIn – connect with these organisations:
linkedin.com/company/graduate-prospects
linkedin.com/company/milkround
This is just the beginning, follow/like/connect with companies and organisations you
are interested in and start interacting and sharing/liking their content.

28. Social media – the facts
• Results don’t happen overnight
• You need to choose the right platform for your area of interest to
reach the right audience
• You have to keep active in order to raise your profile
• You should not beg for follow-backs or connections
• This should be part of your overall job search strategy and not the
main focus
• Devote a specific amount of time each day to engage with social
media and respond to interactions
• Anyone you meet could be a worthwhile connection – ask if they are
on LinkedIn (or twitter if appropriate) and if they would mind if you
connected with them

29. Engage
Brand new careers and events portal
– Search for jobs/work experience
– Book yourself in for appointments and events – in 4 clicks
– Search our growing bank of careers resources
–Registration not required – you are already on the system
engage.westminster.ac.uk

30. Career Development Centre services
– 20-minute quick queries:
CV, covering letter, application form checks
– 45-minute individual guidance interviews:
detailed career guidance, mock interviews
– Book your appointments using the Engage system
Our resources:
– CV Guide – available to download as a resource on Engage
– Free sector-specific and general careers publications

31. Contact Career Development Centre
www.westminster.ac.uk/careers
engage.westminster.ac.uk
T: 020 7911 5184
E: careers@westminster.ac.uk
First floor, 101 New Cavendish Street
(next to Cav St campus)
Also at Harrow – Maria Hewlett building

32. Thank you
Any questions?