Traditional methods in searching for employment opportunities involved many time consuming consultations with CV agencies or browsing broadsheet newspapers…
In the current time frame the key method is social media.
Social media is part of our daily life with over 1 billion people registered on Google+ and over 300 million business professionals use LinkedIn.
More and more, people are using social media to search for employment, seek employees and to further their careers. Because social media allows people to reach a global audience, headhunters may use social media sites to seek the kind of candidates they are searching for. Social media networks provide a massive reach to the global job market with potential opportunities. Recent surveys have identified that after employee referrals, social media is the next best method of delivering high quality candidates. How can you leverage these networks for your career progression?
Online profile
Does your profile match all the roles you want to be considered for?
Make sure social media pages are professional or at least reflect your career or the profession you are seeking. A professional headhunters first step in a hiring process is to checkout a potential candidate on Google. Be careful what networks you post personal thoughts because your online presence speaks volumes to a potential employer. Use separate accounts for personal and business use in order to maintain professionalism. You should proactively grow your network so you have international contacts across many external businesses.
Your social network should list professional experience, current employer, former employers and education – also consider including your aspirations. International headhunters want to know where you are headed, not just where you have been. Be sure to say as much about yourself and your goals as possible without being boring.
Social networks
Build as many social media profiles as possible and use them all wisely. Make connections in your industry and engage them as often as you can. Being visible on your pages and your connections pages are the best ways to get noticed.
- LinkedIn – This is currently the best platform for being found by headhunters or business leaders. Create a profile that complements your CV and related career documents. Consider optimising relevant keywords that are used by headhunters when searching for candidates.
- Facebook – You can use Facebook for professional purposes, be sure to include contact information, employment history, education and your location.
- Google + – Simply replicate your LinkedIn profile on Google+ for search engine rankings and professional business connections.
- Twitter – Potential employers will check twitter feeds for professionalism. Twitter can also be useful for building relationships through quick response conversations.
Your posts should always have relevance to your profession skills in some way. Do not just post examples of what you can do and are doing in your field. Also show that you are on the cutting edge by starting discussions about news in your business. Even post news you think is bad and talk about it with your connections. Headhunters want to know that you know what you are doing before they approach you.
Want to get noticed?
It is much easier today for headhunters to identify and engage with executive candidates through social networks. Leading headhunters and hiring managers both agree that candidates looking to progress their career must be active in social media.
RELATED: 7 Ways You’re Killing Your Career on Facebook
Author: Ed Robertson is a seasoned Marketing Manager writing about a range of topics covering executive search, employment and education. MSC Headhunters is a retained executive search firm serving corporations around the world.
