The rules for job searching have changed. The traditional postings and candidate application processes are being moved into extinction by social media recruiting tactics. If you have been job searching and have left social media out of the equation, you are seriously missing your best opportunities to land your dream job.
In a 2015 study by MRINetwork, 90% of recruiters polled felt the job market is candidate-driven. In just three years this viewpoint has gone through a radical 36-point increase from 2011 surveys. That means that job seekers are running the show, and competition between companies to land exceptional candidates for openings is fierce. This new landscape has caused recruitment tactics to evolve, leading to the amplified use of social media to source and connect with a broader range of candidates.
Comprehending how social media impacts your ability to land a job and become a sought after candidate, whether you are actively seeking a new job or not, is critical. We consulted Tony Restell, founder of a social media agency that works with recruiting teams, to get the very latest insights on how recruiters are using social media to enlist the very best talent for their companies.
Restell reveals there are three very significant reasons to shift your job search’s focus to social media and why not doing so could negatively impact your chances:
- Companies are increasingly looking for their ideal hires rather than posting jobs to attract them. With such intense competition and pressure to find high-quality candidates, recruiters need a larger pool of professionals to choose from, and social media gives them direct, inexpensive access to an incredible network of professional talent. Restell cautions, “Without a strong social media presence, you are simply never going to be considered for many of the openings in your target industry”. Based on his knowledge of the job market and the commentaries of others in the field, Restell estimates nearly 50% of jobs are filled without ever being advertised. “[This] highlights the importance of having an online presence that ensures you are found by recruiters when they are searching for candidate matches for the types of roles you aspire to secure.”
- Social media gives candidates a route to network their way to a new job. You no longer need to wait idly by to engage companies you would like to work for; you can now connect with them on social media. Find ways to interact with their content by sharing, liking or commenting to stand out. “By building relationships with companies, candidates can often get themselves invited in for an interview having bypassed the traditional resume screening stage.”
- Recruiters will now habitually look at your social media presence alongside your resume when deciding whom to invite in for an interview. Neglecting to build this presence or dismissing its importance can hurt your candidacy without even knowing it. “An underwhelming social media presence can totally undermine all the effort you’ve put into crafting the perfect resume,” asserts Restell. Social media is part of the hiring conversation and is not going away.
You are the curator of your professional brand and social media needs to be part of your strategy to ensure you have the best chance of success. Social media must be included in your career arsenal to adapt to current job-seeking tactics. Avoid this reality and you will be left with dead-end roles and a long road of job search frustration. Embrace it and tip the scales in your favor.
Ready to build or reinvigorate your social media presence for your job search? Make sure to follow us for Part 2: What social media platforms work best for job searching and how to leverage them to get results.
[Related: Put Your Best Face Forward on LinkedIn]