Social Networking for Job Search Success, Part 1

On June 17, 2020 we hosted a virtual workshop in using social media while searching for a job.

In the class, we shared tips and options to determine how to be present online and have it work for you during the job search process.

This is blog post one of four of our Social Networking for Job Search Success series, as we explain more about sections of the class. Toward the bottom of the post you will find the full recording of this workshop, along with additional resources to aid in your job search.

An important question to ask yourself is: whether you should you care about your presence online during the job search process? Yes! Your digital presence tells a lot about you. A quick google search can note your digital footprint. It is important to know what is included in your digital footprint because potential employers are doing the same search. According to NOLO, close to 70% of employers are going to do a search for you and your social media presence. This could be problematic or helpful during a job search.

Another important to ask yourself during the job search process is: whether your potential job would require an online presence? If you are looking for a job that is technological in any way or are in marketing, communications, or even sales, it is important to show that you have the skills to do that job or the technological understanding. Many jobs these days use computers and technology so why not show that, “hey, I can use a computer by having a social media presence.”

Social Media Basics

In order to use social networks to succeed in the job search process, here is a review of a few social networking key terms used in the class and future blog posts:

Social media platforms OR networks are websites dedicated to connecting to others and sharing your life. Social networks include Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and various blogging sites.
A handle is an account name on Instagram and Twitter. Handles are unique user-names, meaning no one else can have it. Use your name, nickname, or whatever is available.
Your profile is your account, your page, all that you post. Plano Public Library has profiles on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
A follower is a person with an account who is able to see your posts.
A like is to approve, endorse or support a post by either hitting the like button on Facebook or tapping the heart icon on Twitter and Instagram. It is the most common form of engaging with others on social media sites.
A post can be a photo, a video, an opinion or a life update added to your social media. The library posts storytime videos Monday-Friday on Facebook. On Twitter, posts are more commonly known as Tweets.
A feed is a compilation of posts from those you follow. It is the main path for engaging with others to get updates from news sources, friends, and family members.
Sharing is to repost/retweet other users content.
A story are posts that are typically listed in a unique feed at the top of the page and only last for 24 hours then are automatically deleted.
A DM refers to direct messages. Messages can be sent between two users. But again, privacy settings may determine whether the two users need to follow one another before messages can be sent.
Hashtags are searchable terms in a post that helps connect to other content on the social media platform. Hashtags use the pound sign with text all together – no spaces. For an example, #PlanoPublicLibrary for a post about this blog post will link it to any posts by and about the library using the same hashtag.

See the full workshop recording below, and utilize additional library resources for training and awareness of social networks and your job search.

Additional Library Resources

Ferguson’s Career Guidance Center

Profiles of nearly 3,400 jobs and 140 industries, invaluable advice on career skills, thousands of resource entries, and more

Requires a Plano Public Library card

Ferguson’s Career Guidance Center offers a number of resources in their Job Hunting and Workplace Skills page, including information on Networking that can be applied to social media. Other topics include Cover Letters and Interviewing.

Lynda.com

Provides online training courses that cover a variety of topics (including business, design, web development and multimedia skills) and software (Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite and open source applications). See our Polish Your Skills with Lynda blog posts, with recorded video tutorial by our staff, to understand how Lynda works.

Requires a Plano Public Library card

In Lynda.com, searches for social networking and social media produce thousands of results. Select your skill level (beginner, intermediate and advanced) and narrow your search with subjects such as marketing and writing. Here are some courses we suggest: