Using social media to job hunt Social media can be used in three main ways to job hunt: (1) Employers use cheaper social media sites like Twitter and LinkedIn to recruit candidates and find relevant skills; (2) Candidates can create profiles on sites like Wordpress, Flickr and YouTube to showcase work and skills; (3) Networking at local industry events and adding relevant contacts on social media helps candidates make "proper" connections. However, candidates must curate social media privacy settings and avoid unprofessional content to make a positive impression, as over 40% of employers review candidates' social profiles during hiring.

1. Using social media to job hunt

2. About me
• Social media campaign manager for Delineo
• Plan and operate social media campaigns for a
number of clients including The Co-operative
• Manchester University Graduate – 2006
• Any questions, tweet me @delineo or @totmac

3. What social media sites can you
use to job hunt?

4. Do employers use social media to
recruit?
• Yes.
• Cheaper than traditional methods
• Reach more relevant candidates
• Get more coverage

5. • Manchester is the third biggest city in Europe for Twitter
users
• Number of influential users including:
• Managing directors, HR managers, marketing managers
• For example:

7. Jobs are often posted on Twitter
• Add relevant people/companies (Google Twitter accounts,
look on company websites, use Twitter lists
• Interact with them (@, RT)
• Tailor your updates towards what you want to do…
• Ask if you’d like to work for this person?
• Don't spam them with job enquiries

8. • Wordpress/Blogger
• Blog about your interest
• Very attractive for employers (Shows passion and
expertise)
• Write for the intended audience
• Combine with social media to get it out there

9. • Online CV
• Add previous experience/placements
• Add a picture!
• Join relevant local groups – e.g Manchester Digital,
Northern Soho
• Add people you meet
• Get recommendations

10. • Not suitable for everyone – creatives/freelancers
• Set up a page
• Integrate existing materials – blogs, images, video
• Keep an eye on it for spurious comments

11. • Flickr: Set up a photo set
• YouTube: Video (CV, interests)
• Let people know about these materials (add it all to your
CV)

12. Graeme Anthony Video CV

13. Networking events
• Create ‘proper’ connections with people
• Creative/Marketing events:
• CING
• MESH MCR
• Manchester Young Creatives
• Social Media Café
• Orchard - http://www.orchard.co.uk/Events/
• Eventbrite
• Meetup

14. Do employers care?
• 53% of employers check candidates on social networks
• Make sure:
• Facebook privacy (photos, updates)
• Remember Twitter is open
• Anything you wouldn’t want your mum to see

15. Top reasons for not hiring a candidate:
43% found content that caused them not to hire the candidate
• Candidate showed poor communication skills (31%)
• Candidate posted content related to drink or drugs (10%)

16. Top reasons for not hiring a candidate:
• Candidate made discriminatory comments (13%)
• Candidate posted inappropriate photographs or
information (9%)

17. Half of employers found content which resulted in a job offer…
• Candidate showed solid communication skills (41%)
• Profile provided a good feel for the candidate’s personality and fit
(28%)
• Candidate conveyed a professional image (22%)
Positives of using social media

18. • Show an interest
• Be aware of the image you’re projecting
• Be creative
In summary...

19. Any questions?
• @totmac
• @delineo