What they don’t tell you about Social Media and Job Hunting

My Google search on Tuesday turned up over 138 links and 23 blog posts on social media and job hunting. Crazy but true.

When I started to review many of the links and blog posts in my search, most contained some really great information for job hunters like: reviewing your online reputation, knowing where to look on social media sites, what’s the best way to communicate with relevant players and how you should always be willing to learn... all great information but, do you really want to read another blog post on how to find a job using social media?

Read on, because I’m going to tell you what they don’t tell you about social media and job hunting.

First thing – Social media increases the odds against you finding a job rather than putting them in your favor.

Why? Because of conversation volume.

The sheer number of conversations going on is incredible. Job hunters, recruiters and others are using social media in record numbers. Example: Let’s say you want to use Twitter to target a few companies that are hiring. You send a few tweets either to an internal employee or to the company’s Twitter account. Do you get heard, or even noticed? The odds are increasingly unlikely. An internal employee (using Twitter) might forward your resume onto recruiting. The company’s Twitter social media manager may do the same thing. This adds up to more of the same red tape that you were see if you applied for the job on their website.

How can you breakthrough the conversation? The best way is to become a pest. If you are serious about a company you need to constantly be involved in the conversations that they are having on social media channels. Be an advocate of the company, suggest them to your friends and associates and let them know you are out there on a daily basis.

Second thing – On social media channels, everyone says the same things, in order to get a job.