Social Media and Your Career Planning
Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2025 9:01 am
Active Sourcing is a clear trend in personnel recruitment which implies that companies actively approach candidates instead of explicitly recruiting staff via job adverts. Next to classic CV databases, more and more companies also use social media channels to address candidates directly. So why should you not allow an employer to find you?
1. Professional networking – LinkedIn and Xing
Business networks such as Xing and LinkedIn allow much more than a simple entry of the classic CV. It is very appealing to welcome visitors to your profile in the “About me” section and to write something about yourself. You should definitely upload your photo. Profiles with a photo generate a significantly higher traffic. You should also mention your specialist knowledge and skills. Use synonyms if certain terms are repeated in your CV. Both networks automatically suggest jobs based on the information provided. If you have united states of america phone number library any further profiles on the web, refer to them. A further tip: Look out for fellow students, former colleagues and private contacts (e.g. neighbours and/ or members of your club) and actively contact them. Join specialized groups. Introduce yourself to the other group members. This will help you to expand your network. By the way: in many groups you find published vacancies. Get actively involved in the group action and demonstrate your expertise! Also use functions such as “Visitors to my profile” as an indicator how your profile is perceived. And last but not least: In business networks, the same rules apply as in small talk: no religion, no politics – especially during the orientation phase.
2. Social Networks – Facebook, Twitter & Co
In some countries, it is common to recruit actively via Facebook. This is very different in Germany where a large group of social media users wish for a clear separation between private and professional activities. However, the social networks offer the opportunity to get information about potential employers. Career pages at Google+ and/or Facebook invite you to get an idea about the company and to get in touch with employees without any further obligations. I recommend you to adjust your Facebook privacy settings to convey a neutral image to your future employer, and not only during the active application phase.
Many companies use the micro-blogging service Twitter to publish news and job offers. Follow companies and persons you are interested in and who share your professional interests. Exchange experiences here and inform your network about news from your specialist area. The number of Retweets and the number of your followers could be a useful indicator to find out whether your activities reach your target group.
1. Professional networking – LinkedIn and Xing
Business networks such as Xing and LinkedIn allow much more than a simple entry of the classic CV. It is very appealing to welcome visitors to your profile in the “About me” section and to write something about yourself. You should definitely upload your photo. Profiles with a photo generate a significantly higher traffic. You should also mention your specialist knowledge and skills. Use synonyms if certain terms are repeated in your CV. Both networks automatically suggest jobs based on the information provided. If you have united states of america phone number library any further profiles on the web, refer to them. A further tip: Look out for fellow students, former colleagues and private contacts (e.g. neighbours and/ or members of your club) and actively contact them. Join specialized groups. Introduce yourself to the other group members. This will help you to expand your network. By the way: in many groups you find published vacancies. Get actively involved in the group action and demonstrate your expertise! Also use functions such as “Visitors to my profile” as an indicator how your profile is perceived. And last but not least: In business networks, the same rules apply as in small talk: no religion, no politics – especially during the orientation phase.
2. Social Networks – Facebook, Twitter & Co
In some countries, it is common to recruit actively via Facebook. This is very different in Germany where a large group of social media users wish for a clear separation between private and professional activities. However, the social networks offer the opportunity to get information about potential employers. Career pages at Google+ and/or Facebook invite you to get an idea about the company and to get in touch with employees without any further obligations. I recommend you to adjust your Facebook privacy settings to convey a neutral image to your future employer, and not only during the active application phase.
Many companies use the micro-blogging service Twitter to publish news and job offers. Follow companies and persons you are interested in and who share your professional interests. Exchange experiences here and inform your network about news from your specialist area. The number of Retweets and the number of your followers could be a useful indicator to find out whether your activities reach your target group.