By now, you’ve seen the writing on the wall. Layoffs, hiring freezes and job offers being rescinded are the unfortunate new corporate trends. Businesses are in cost-cutting mode, fearful of the adverse effects of a possible global recession. Some companies, such as the Mom Project, are letting go of people in anticipation of “economic uncertainty” ahead—and not due to a current need. In the herd mentality of corporations, once one major organization downsizes, all the others follow suit.
The traditional job-searching methods still hold true: seek out recruiters, tap into your network and respond to help-wanted ads online. Since there are continued waves of layoffs, you may want to take your job search to the next level by leveraging social media to get noticed.
Many people use social media to find news quickly, argue politics, troll others, see what Elon Musk is up to and watch cat videos. It's also a great way to brand yourself and gain attention from prospective hiring managers, human resources professionals, recruiters and others who may be of assistance in finding you a new job. Using social media, you can also get a deep sense of a company’s culture and values through its online presence.
It may not be as sexy as Twitter or TikTok, but LinkedIn is the go-to platform for career-focused professionals and job hunters. With over 800 million members, the odds are in your favor that you can find the right people who could help place you in the perfect job.
Take a fresh look at your LinkedIn profile, as you most likely haven’t needed the site up until now, and your information may be woefully outdated. Tailor your profile and job responsibilities to relate to the roles you’re seeking specifically. Ensure that you include all of the relevant keywords, acronyms and corporate jargon that recruiters and HR would use in a search to find candidates for their open job requisitions.
Send out connection invitations to people who are in your field that look like possible decision-makers. These folks include internal corporate talent acquisition professionals, hiring managers for your desired roles and those who work in different companies within your field.
Start a marketing campaign to garner attention. If you notice a person posting an article or other type of content that’s relevant to your line of business, like and comment on it. As you get more comfortable, write your own content. It could be something about a new development within your area of expertise or sharing how your job search is going. If you are creative, make short videos. The key is to position yourself as a competent and experienced expert within your domain. It's not a one-and-done. You must post regularly to stay on everyone’s radar. The only caveat is that if you are gainfully employed, you need to be more cautious and low-key in your marketing efforts.
Many newly laid-off workers opt for the #opentowork banner on their profile. The green banner alerts recruiters, HR and hiring managers to get in touch. The cold reality is that someone in between roles won’t need a two or three weeks’ notice period, and could start immediately. Along with the banner, you need to provide some context. No one will just reach out to you if they don’t know what you did or the type of work you’re looking for. Clearly set forth the information people need to easily see if you are fit for their open roles.
In addition to LinkedIn, depending upon your type of job and career, get active on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Each platform has a very different and distinct feel to it. If you are not an avid user of TikTok, for instance, before diving in head first, test the waters. Watch several videos to gain a vibe check.
Once you gain an understanding of the sites, tailor your photos, videos and written content to fit well within the platforms’ generally accepted practices. Similar to LinkedIn, the goal is still the same. You want to create a genuine and authentic feel that will make people comfortable reaching out to you.
Instagram offers a visual and video platform. With a professional account, the app would be a perfect vehicle to showcase your portfolio and burnish your brand if you are in a creative or marketing role.
You may not have noticed, but TikTok has moved away from just young Gen-Zs dancing. Elder Millennials, Gen-Xers and Baby Boomers are all over the site. TikTok now boasts a substantial career-oriented section with creators offering résumé and career advice in a refreshingly upbeat and enthusiastic way.
It may feel weird for people who are of a certain age; however, if you have a little creativity and are open to taking a risk, start making TikTok videos. You can then download the short, one-minute or so video to LinkedIn, Twitter and other social media sites. The fresh feel of the videos will make you stand out compared to stodgy, clichéd content.
You can also gain some attention on Facebook with over one billion users. First, join groups that are relevant to your field; then, get active. For example, let people know that you’ve lost your job and would like some help with leads.
Put aside all the trash talking and trolling on Twitter and consider using it to your advantage. Look for your tribe on the site. Seek out trending topics that align with your skills and background. Then, weigh in with your comment, offering your unique perspective. If you stay active, people will start seeing you as an expert and you will get noticed by headhunters, HR and hiring managers.
