Social media is used by many companies to advertise their vacancies, which is why it is important for you to make use of social media when looking for jobs.
There are three simple strategies to follow to find a job through social media, which are:
- Actively search for jobs
- Post your CV on job sites
- Use social networking sites
It is important that you use all three strategies to effectively find a job using social media.
Actively Search For Jobs
When looking for job-searching websites, make sure that they are trustworthy. Many of these sites allow you to post your CV for job-matching, so post your CV and search the sites to maximise your chances of getting a job. Here is a list of a few job sites:
- Employment Services system of South Africa (ESSA): The job-search website of the Department of Employment and Labour which allows you to type in your personal details and obtain a match to available opportunities. Click here to find out more.
- National Youth Development Agency JOBS Programme: This is a job-matching system especially for youth between 18 and 35 years of age. Go to www.nyda.gov.za and create a registration login via the self-service portal link on the home page. You can also fax your resume to 086 773 7421 or e-mail it to jobsservicenyda.gov.za. You can also call NYDA on 080 052 5252 to obtain help with registration as a work-seeker.
- LinkedIn: It is by far the biggest and most important website that employers use to recruit people. Create a profile by completing the outlined areas for employment (current and past), education, industry and websites. For more information, click here.
- Gumtree: Offering many job listings, but you can also post your job requirement. Click here for their website.
- Indeed: Search thousands of jobs from different recruiters and job boards and make them available for you. Go to www.indeed.co.za for more information.
- SimplyHired: Helps work-seekers find job opportunities. It is also linked to Plaxo, which helps you post your resume. Click here for the website.
- Monster: Provides job opportunities and job preparation advice. For more information click here.
- PNet: Allows you to search a wide variety of jobs and post your resume. Click here for the website.
- CareerJunction: Allows you to search a wide variety of jobs. Click here to find out more.
- Careers24: Allows you to search a wide variety of jobs. Go to www.careers24.com for more information.
- Careerjet: Allows you to search a wide variety of jobs. Click here for the website.
- Job Mail: Allows you to upload your resume for job-matching. Fore more information, click here.
You can ask a Career Counsellor at your nearest Labour Centre to assist you with a list of many other electronic job-search sites.
Or find more information on available jobs on the internet, go to www.google.com, or www.yahoo.com, for example, and type in “jobsearch” into the search engine, or the job type you want, such as “electrician job South Africa.”
You can also find much information on the internet on compiling an online CV, interviewing tips, etc.
Posting your CV
You could post your CV on the internet, or create a number of CV’s adapted for different jobs so that you have them ready for applying, or for employers to find you.
Many recruiters do not place adverts for job opportunities and merely headhunt people with the skills their company needs.
Crafting your CV for posting on a website can be tricky since you have less space than when you do a paper-based one. The crux will be to emphasize your best skills and sell yourself in a unique way.
Here are a few sites to use for compiling your CV:
- CVWizardr is a free application that can help you come up with a professional online CV. You can present a more visually attractive CV by uploading links to a video or a slideshow in which you sell yourself to employers. Click here for their website.
- Do You Buzz allows you to set up a free online CV, which allows more layout and colour options. For more information click here.
- Pinterest allows you to present your CV in a very visual and creative way and gives you the edge over other work-seekers. Click here for their website.
Use Social Networking Sites
Most people use Facebook, Whatsapp, WeChat and Twitter to communicate with friends and family, however, you can also find jobs through people that you know.
Share the type of job you are looking for with your connections on social media and see if your contacts have any helpful ideas.
You can also ask for introductions to contacts. Make a list of the people you know in the following categories, such as friends, family, acquaintances, and connections/work-related connections.
You can now work out how you will connect with each of these categories to find work. Although most social networking sites have been developed for social networking initially, the owners added tools for job search.
For more information on how you can use social media to help you find a job, click here.
