7 Ways to Find a Job Using Social Media

Think tweeting is just good for talking about Glee or sitting on your couch? Think again. Job applicants are starting to turn to social media to find a new gig, get a foot in the door at their dream company. Even employers are looking for their next all-stars on social media channels. And I’m not making this up… if not for Twitter, I may not have landed a job at HubSpot, named the #1 best place to work in Boston.

So here are just some of the ways you can find a job using social media:

1. Start blogging about your industry

If you’re a job seeker, having your own blog about your industry is a great way to impress potential employers. A blog will not only give you the opportunity to establish your personal brand, but it will help you become seen as an expert in your field. There’s no better interview prep than teaching your readers about your field. Having a social media blog has definitely helped me out, so again, I’m speaking from experience.

2. Network via your LinkedIn profile

These days, chances are you already have a LinkedIn profile (and if you don’t, you should get on that). There are many opportunities to network on LinkedIn other than simply inviting people to join your network. Start answering questions, including those asked or answered by employees at your target companies. It could spark a conversation that would make the “Hey, by the way, I saw this job listing…” private message more appropriate. Groups are another great way to keep up with the latest industry news, and you can share your blog posts in relevant groups as well. Also, browse take note of 2nd and 3rd degree connections on LinkedIn and see if any of your connections would make an introduction.

3. Set up lists on Twitter

Use LinkedIn and Twitter directories like Twellow to find people who work at companies you’re researching. If you’re hesitant to follow these people (and there’s no need to be!), you can set up private Twitter lists to keep tabs on employees from each company, and be the first to know when a new job becomes available.

4. Interact with company employees on Twitter

Twitter is a great way to interact with industry peers without feeling awkward about it; it’s really the whole point of Twitter. Don’t start stalking them and connecting with them on FourSquare or anything. But retweet them and reply to them with valuable comments and input. After you’ve been chatting for a while, you can start asking them more details about that job listing you noticed.

5. Comment on the company blog

If the company you’re looking at has a blog, become an active participant in the commenting section. Make sure that your email address is connected to Gravatar so that they could put a face with the name, which is especially useful if you’re invited in for the interview (“Hey, I recognize you!”). But like any other blog commenting, don’t spam! Contribute with valuable and insightful comments to get noticed.

6. Guest blog on the company blog

If you see that the company you’re looking at is looking for guest bloggers, volunteer! This will give you the opportunity to show off your content creation skills to those hiring managers who most likely read the blog. Although I didn’t guest blog for HubSpot, I did for one of their employees over at 4SquareBadges.com. And said employee submitted my resume to HubSpot. The rest is history.

7. Ask your friends for help

This step is easier for job-seekers who aren’t currently employed, but you can ask your friends for help via Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. For example: “Hey guys! Are any of your companies looking for a new marketing assistant? If so, I’m on the lookout for a new gig, so please let me know!” There are many times that my friends or employers from previous jobs or internships have reached out to me via these social networks with job openings at their companies (usually at times when I wasn’t looking), so this is a fantastic way to get job leads. If you’re afraid to get busted by your boss, edit the privacy of that one status update to block people from your company, and resist the urge to post more publicly on Twitter. It’s not worth the risk of ending up without a job at all!

How have you used social media in your job search? Let me know in the comments below!