Andrew: Using Social Media to Your Job-Hunting Advantage

Editor's note: We challenged all of our finalists to write a blog post to "Tell us about a current topic that's of importance to your generation."

As young people going out into the workforce, one of the things we hear the most about is the high unemployment rates that came with the economic downturn. Admittedly, the situation is not ideal but you already have one of the most important tools for a job search at your disposal. I’m talking, of course, about social media.

 
That’s right – your future bosses are probably scoping out your Facebook page and following your Twitter. Now don’t freak out, because that actually gives you an incredible opportunity to go beyond the standard resume and cover letter! Here are three tips for staying savvy online and giving yourself an advantage while job hunting.
 
1) Privacy Settings – Your privacy settings are some of the most important choices you will make regarding your online accounts. You have the ability to choose who is able to see what, so take your time while making these selections. Most websites make privacy settings easy to navigate as they realize the importance of online security.
 
2) Profile Picture –We all want a picture that shows us at our best, but be sure to keep it classy. Profile pictures will usually remain visible even when most other features are blocked. If your profile picture would yield some explaining to your grandparents, odds are that a future employer may also raise an eyebrow.
 
3) Content – Your profile is a stage reserved just for you, so be sure to highlight your strong points! Putting your best foot forward is always a good idea, especially when future employers can reread everything you post. Just be sure to check your spelling and watch your grammar in the process.
 
When the time to job hunt comes, it may be helpful to think of your online profiles as extensions of your resume. It’s true, the modern job market can be a tricky sea to navigate, but your use of social media could very well be what draws employers to you and ultimately lands you your dream job.

Andrew