Using social media to find a job

Things to avoid on LinkedIn

Don’t confuse networking with bragging!

• Don’t go crazy with buzzwords – as with CVs, your profile should reflect you at this stage of your career. Some recruitment head hunters do search LinkedIn for keywords, but it’s quite obvious if your buzzwords don’t match your experience.

• Don’t send out lots of generic connection requests to people you don’t know – this scatter-gun approach tends to annoy people and probably won’t help you build your network.

• Don’t think that lots of endorsements will get you hired – employers tend to be sceptical about endorsements of skills on LinkedIn, especially if they’re from friends and family. Recommendations will carry more weight, in particular if they’re from a previous employer or academic tutor.

Social media as a skill

Being able to use social media effectively is an increasingly sought-after skill!

• Managing the social media for University clubs or societies, voluntary groups or work placement employers can provide excellent evidence of your competence in this area.

• Setting up your own blog is a great way to develop your writing skills and showcase your expertise but make sure that you choose a subject that reflects your interests and career aspirations. Check out existing blogs within your area of interest for inspiration.

For more information on how to Get Cybersmart for Career Success, visit qub.ac.uk/cybersmart Follow Queen’s Careers and Social Media QUB

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GET CYBERSMART FOR CAREER SUCCESS USING SOCIAL MEDIA TO FIND A JOB www.qub.ac.uk/cybersmart

11/04/2016 10:17

What’s it all about?

Many graduate employers use social media to communicate with students and many will check social media sites for information about applicants. Used effectively, social media can help you to find opportunities and present a strong impression of yourself to potential employers. Used ineffectively, you could miss the opportunity to land your dream job!

Maintaining a professional online presence

Search for yourself online. Does that search return what you would like a potential employer to see?

• Create a positive impression by setting up a profile on LinkedIn. Other professional sites exist in different countries and for specialist industry sectors, but LinkedIn has become the main platform for professional social networking.

It’s free to use and you’ll find useful guides on how to get started at students.linkedin.com/uk.

• A LinkedIn profile is like an online CV – a strong profile is more likely to appear in searches and will give a better first impression to potential employers. You’ll find tips in the link above to help you optimise your LinkedIn profile.

• Make sure the information in your profile mirrors applications you send. While applications should be tailored to specific jobs, if they differ significantly from your online profile, employers are unlikely to be convinced by them.

• Avoid creating a negative impression by cleaning-up your other online profiles and managing your privacy settings.

Lib_SMsucces.indd 3-4

Researching opportunities and staying informed

Social media is a great way to keep up-to-date with the latest opportunities!

• Follow Queen’s Careers, Employability and Skills on Facebook and Twitter (@CareersatQueens) to stay informed about events and opportunities.

• Many companies use sites like LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter to present recruitment information to students and graduates. Search for companies that interest you and follow them to find out about deadlines, campus visits, etc.

• Use LinkedIn’s alumni tool (My Network > Find Alumni) to find profiles of alumni from your programme and identify possible career paths that might interest you.

Making connections and raising your profile

It’s never too early to start building your network and establish a professional profile • Start your online professional network with friends, classmates and work colleagues before sending connection requests to professionals.

• Professionals who attend fairs and employer events on campus are often happy to accept connection requests from students.

• While LinkedIn has standard text for connection requests, people are much more likely to accept requests if the text is tailored and if they recognise you from the photograph on your profile.

• LinkedIn has lots of groups targeted at students or specific to certain industries. Groups you have joined will be visible on your profile and can give a good indication of your interests to potential employers.

• Be active within groups - asking questions or making carefully considered comments can help to raise your profile.

11/04/2016 10:17

What’s it all about?

Many graduate employers use social media to communicate with students and many will check social media sites for information about applicants. Used effectively, social media can help you to find opportunities and present a strong impression of yourself to potential employers. Used ineffectively, you could miss the opportunity to land your dream job!

Maintaining a professional online presence

Search for yourself online. Does that search return what you would like a potential employer to see?

• Create a positive impression by setting up a profile on LinkedIn. Other professional sites exist in different countries and for specialist industry sectors, but LinkedIn has become the main platform for professional social networking.

It’s free to use and you’ll find useful guides on how to get started at students.linkedin.com/uk.

• A LinkedIn profile is like an online CV – a strong profile is more likely to appear in searches and will give a better first impression to potential employers. You’ll find tips in the link above to help you optimise your LinkedIn profile.

• Make sure the information in your profile mirrors applications you send. While applications should be tailored to specific jobs, if they differ significantly from your online profile, employers are unlikely to be convinced by them.

• Avoid creating a negative impression by cleaning-up your other online profiles and managing your privacy settings.

Lib_SMsucces.indd 3-4

Researching opportunities and staying informed

Social media is a great way to keep up-to-date with the latest opportunities!

• Follow Queen’s Careers, Employability and Skills on Facebook and Twitter (@CareersatQueens) to stay informed about events and opportunities.

• Many companies use sites like LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter to present recruitment information to students and graduates. Search for companies that interest you and follow them to find out about deadlines, campus visits, etc.

• Use LinkedIn’s alumni tool (My Network > Find Alumni) to find profiles of alumni from your programme and identify possible career paths that might interest you.

Making connections and raising your profile

It’s never too early to start building your network and establish a professional profile • Start your online professional network with friends, classmates and work colleagues before sending connection requests to professionals.

• Professionals who attend fairs and employer events on campus are often happy to accept connection requests from students.

• While LinkedIn has standard text for connection requests, people are much more likely to accept requests if the text is tailored and if they recognise you from the photograph on your profile.

• LinkedIn has lots of groups targeted at students or specific to certain industries. Groups you have joined will be visible on your profile and can give a good indication of your interests to potential employers.

• Be active within groups - asking questions or making carefully considered comments can help to raise your profile.

11/04/2016 10:17

Things to avoid on LinkedIn

Don’t confuse networking with bragging!

• Don’t go crazy with buzzwords – as with CVs, your profile should reflect you at this stage of your career. Some recruitment head hunters do search LinkedIn for keywords, but it’s quite obvious if your buzzwords don’t match your experience.

• Don’t send out lots of generic connection requests to people you don’t know – this scatter-gun approach tends to annoy people and probably won’t help you build your network.

• Don’t think that lots of endorsements will get you hired – employers tend to be sceptical about endorsements of skills on LinkedIn, especially if they’re from friends and family. Recommendations will carry more weight, in particular if they’re from a previous employer or academic tutor.

Social media as a skill

Being able to use social media effectively is an increasingly sought-after skill!

• Managing the social media for University clubs or societies, voluntary groups or work placement employers can provide excellent evidence of your competence in this area.

• Setting up your own blog is a great way to develop your writing skills and showcase your expertise but make sure that you choose a subject that reflects your interests and career aspirations. Check out existing blogs within your area of interest for inspiration.

For more information on how to Get Cybersmart for Career Success, visit qub.ac.uk/cybersmart Follow Queen’s Careers and Social Media QUB

Lib_SMsucces.indd 1-2

GET CYBERSMART FOR CAREER SUCCESS USING SOCIAL MEDIA TO FIND A JOB www.qub.ac.uk/cybersmart

11/04/2016 10:17