News & Events

YWCA Saskatoon’s Employment and Learning Centre remains closed for in-person programs in light of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation.  We will continue to provide remote services via email, telephone, and social media (Facebook).

We believe it is important to maintain your job search momentum. As such the Employment and Learning Centre will offer you daily job search advice and support that you can complete from home.

Today’s post is another post in the series….

Networking is one of the most important components of job searching, and it’s one of the top ways job seekers can get hired. Whether it’s networking in-person or online or using social media to grow your career, there are many ways social networking can help you get hired.

Jobvite’s 2019 Job Seeker Nation Survey reports that 50% of respondents heard about jobs from friends, 37% say they also learn about open positions from professional networks, and 35% found out about jobs from social media. According to Monster.com, 80% of employers are using social media as a recruitment tool. Job seekers can use social media to connect with recruiters, build their professional networks, and find job openings at their favorite employers.

Not only can you find a job with this medium, but you can also create and cultivate a personal brand using social networking sites, building a strategic online presence to help with your job searching and career building.

 Social Networking Sites for Job Seekers:

LinkedIn

With nearly 660 million current users, LinkedIn is a top spot for people looking for work.4

However, many users don’t take the necessary steps to maximize their chances, including optimizing their profile, creating their network, joining groups, incorporating work samples, and accumulating recommendations and endorsements.

Make sure that you reach out to first-, second-, and third-degree connections for information, advice, and introductions to hiring managers. Join professional groups related to your interests and contribute to discussions to enhance your visibility as a potential candidate.

LinkedIn is also a great resource for accessing job postings. The search results include a listing of jobs that correspond to your interests and also a list of individuals in your network who might be able to refer you to relevant jobs.

Alumni from your school or college who are working at the employers advertising jobs will also be noted on your results list.

Facebook

Many employers will place job advertisements on Facebook. You can find these opportunities by searching for “Jobs on Facebook” in the search window on the site. However, the greatest value of Facebook is the opportunity to solicit the assistance of your contacts with your job search. Ask if your contacts are aware of any jobs related to your interests and also request that your friends provide referrals to any people whom they know in your field for advice and information relevant to your job transition. Join groups of people with common interests and network with them.

Be careful how you proceed if you are currently employed and have Facebook contacts who might report your activity to your employer.

Instagram

Instagram is a good way to establish your personal brand while demonstrating your social media skills and enhancing your overall digital-savvy. It’s also a smart way to glean information and insights about a company where you might want to work. Instagram is a great way to see inside a company to demonstrate later how you’d be a good fit.

Instagram also provides a vehicle for you to post visual representations related to your professional or academic projects.

Twitter

Active Twitter users can develop and promote their professional brand by posting information of interest to individuals in their field. One benefit of Twitter is the free-flowing communication that allows you to talk directly to recruiters and hiring managers without the need to submit a resume first. Search for #recruiters and other keywords related to your industry.

However, while Twitter is an excellent networking tool, you need to support your efforts with a blog or LinkedIn profile. No one will hire you simply based on a Twitter profile – to start, they’ll need a link providing them with more information about you.

Your Employment and Learning staff are working remotely through email or over the telephone.  Should you have any questions about resumes, job interviews, job interview questions, how to prepare, or how to answer those difficult questions, feel free to contact any of your Employment and Learning staff for support.  You can reach us at:

• (306) 986-2873 [Telephone]
• empserv@ywcasaskatoon.com [Email].

Stay motivated; stay healthy as you achieve your employment goals.

You can view the full original article by Alison Doyle at The Balance Careers, at:

https://www.thebalancecareers.com/best-social-media-sites-for-job-searching-2062617