Social networking sites to recruit potential job candidates

There is research to show that, Organizations are increasingly using social networking channels for advertising jobs and to support recruitment efforts.

According to SHRM research findings on social media recruitment trends “More than three- quarters (77%) of organizations reported using social networking sites to recruit potential job candidates”. Of all the social media channels, LinkedIn was indicated to be the most commonly used for recruitment, with a majority usage of (94%) followed by Facebook (54%) and Twitter (39%).
It is generally agreed that, conducting a successful job search requires innovation and a great deal of “out of the box” thinking. As Social media becomes the new normal where networking and job search is concerned, a great strategy would be to leverage the power of social media to support job search efforts and to increase ones visibility and accessibility to hiring managers.
As increasing numbers of employers continue to employ the use social media to recruit new employees, becoming familiar with social media sites as a veritable tool for job seeking can increase the chances of uncovering unofficial job postings. I will share with you some ways you can leverage the benefits of the some social media options to support your job search.

LinkedIn:
This is the preferred network for professionals and has the widest reach. It is advisable to connect to people who are in careers that you aspire to. Join groups that are relevant to your function and be a visible contributor on those forums.
Take advantage of the job boards. There are a multitude of open jobs advertised on LinkedIn ad you can apply directly with your LinkedIn profile.
Don’t be silent. Share your relevant content and expertise via articles, or updates on your LinkedIn profile.
It is useful to get recommendations and endorsements from your contacts as this will increases your visibility and credibility.

Facebook:
Facebook can be used for a lot more than posting vacation pictures and selfies.
It can be used for the posting of work related status updates. It can also be used to Share work and industry related updates. Relevant updates, articles or blog posts can be uploaded and it is very useful to tag friends who may be in a related field. This will ensure your content is accessed by their contacts who may be interested in what you have to share.
If you plan to use your Facebook account as a job search tool, be mindful of the pictures you upload. Moderation is key and will serve you well.

Twitter:
With Twitter less can be more as with less than 140 Character, Twitter can help you locate your dream job. A good starting point would be to use the search bar to search for keywords relating to the desired jobs and possible location.
Use Hashtags to narrow down your search and to uncover all job tweets related to a niche function.
It is advisable to follow job related accounts to be kept abreast of all new openings.
Tweet often but remember to keep it professional and cordial.