1. Using Social Media to Job
Search
Laura Ledgerwood
Social Media Coordinator & Career Consultant
@UGACareerCenter @LedgerwoodL
www.ledgerwood.wordpress.com

2. Why should I use it to job search?
• Employers are using it
• Great way for you to build a network
• Good way for you to identify connections
• GREAT way to create connections
• Networking is the #1 way people find
jobs
Other people aren’t using it to job search

3. The Hard Truth

4. Comparing the Big 3
Pros Cons
- 1 billion users and counting - Privacy concerns
- Easy to navigate - Major design changes every
year or so
- Best place to be as an active - Less personal
or inactive job seeker - More difficult to figure out
- In depth statistics
- Plug ins
- HR uses this heavily
- Great listening tool - High maintenance
- Real time information - Can get out of date quickly
- Conversational

5. LinkedIn & the Job Search
YOUR GOAL
5. Maintain your network
Is what you’re asking reasonable?
4. Correspond appropriately
Groups
3. Network with Professionals
Industry Groups
Company Pages
2. Join Targeted Groups
Alumni Groups
1. Create a Profile

6. LinkedIn Profiles
• Customize your header to
state your field, industry, or
what you are seeking
• Add a brief summary and
focus on concrete
specialties – this can be
found in advanced searches
• Include solid bullet points –
skills, achievements, things
you learned, results
• Re-order as appropriate

7. LinkedIn Profiles
• Update your status often –
daily or weekly
• Seek out recommendations
• Customize your url
• Reorder your sections to
highlight your most relevant
experiences first
• Display groups you joined
on your profile
• Show off your work!

8. LinkedIn Skills Section
• Use keywords &
industry jargon
• Identify skills to add
to your profile
• Targeted industry
groups
• Professionals in the
field
• Related companies
and job listings

9. Finding Jobs within Groups
• 3 ways to find jobs
• Ask your networks for
leads or advice
• Share information
you find with your
networks
• Give to get
• If you don’t know,
ASK!!!

10. Sample LinkedIn Networking Message
Mr./Ms. [Last Name],
I’m a current student at Emmanuel College and am interested in pursuing a
career in [their profession]. Do you have an advice or tips that you would be
willing to share with me about your experience? If so, we could talk over the
phone (555-883-8585) 10-15 minutes or I can be reached at
jsmith@ymail.com if that’s more convenient. Any and all suggestions would
be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance for your time and considering doing this. If I can be of
service to you, please let me know.
Best Regards,
John
John Smith
BBA Computer Information Systems
Emmanuel College May 2013
jsmith@ymail.com
555-883-8585

11. LinkedIn Etiquette
• Have your profile 100% filled out
• Link ONLY to those you know directly
• Message members appropriately
• Actively participate in your groups
• Take advantage of your status updates

12. Facebook & the Job Search
Profile:
-Include education
-Add projects in your employment section
-Monitor what information you are sharing
Networking:
-“Like” pages
-Join relevant groups
-Subscribe to industry leaders

13. Facebook
• Monitor privacy
• Subscribe to
businesses
• Post updates to
stay connected
• Join groups and
“like” pages
• BranchOut

14. Facebook Profile
• Create a
customized
“Cover”
• Go through
your timeline
• Monitor what
others have
posted
• Use the “view
as” button to
check content
visibility

15. Networking through Facebook
• See if they have a
“Students”, “Careers”
or “Jobs” tab
• Do not post “do you
have an
internship/job?”
• Share content on their
wall or comment if
appropriate
• “Like” their status
updates or content

16. Facebook Etiquette
• Do not “Facebook” your recruiter
• Only directly message someone you are
connected to/have a networking contact
• Remember what is on your profile
• Don’t “text talk”

17. Twitter & the Job Search
• Create a professional bio
Name, industry, area of specialty, certifications
• Identify industry leaders/ job leads
• - www.listorious.com , www.twellow.com
• Search for jobs in the Twitter Search bar
• “Retweet” useful tweets
• Respond to what other users posts
• Actively contribute to conversations

18. Sample Twitter Bios

19. Finding Information on Twitter

20. Organizing Information on Twitter
• Create
targeted
lists
• Consider
who you
follow
• “Favorite”
Tweets

21. Twitter Etiquette
• Follow as long as it isn’t private
• Don’t forget everyone can read your
tweets if they aren’t private
• “Retweet” if you found information
from someone else
• Don’t over tweet

22. Potential Pitfalls of Social Media
• Sharing too much information
Politics
Controversial posts
Religion
• Demonstrating poor communication skills
• Wasting time
• Not developing real connections
• Lack of consistency

23. Final Thoughts
• Be bold; don’t be afraid of rejection
• Set aside time each week for you to
maintain your networks
• Job searching & networking takes time
• Not every job is posted online

24. QUESTIONS??