3 Ways to Use Social Media to Find Part-Time Jobs

By Allie Mitchell on January 10, 2017

Social media is the way of the world. If you haven’t already gotten on the bandwagon, you might as well do it already or you will be so far behind that when you finally do decide to cave, the world will be so different that you will honestly go crazy.

Okay, it is not that dramatic, but things are being done differently in today’s world; the online dating craze has surpassed expectations and so now it’s onto online job dating, for lack of better words. Of course, finding a job online isn’t something that is unheard of. Nowadays places are starting to do away with in-person applications and instead go straight to internal applications (along with every student’s dreaded ‘please upload your resume’ and then the ‘please insert your employment history’ section about two rows down).

Finding jobs online isn’t tough; you put in what kind of job you are looking for and immediately tons of sites pop up, hoping to grant your wish. That is typical, everyday online job searching, but what if there was a different way — a way that involves the internet, but also involves the social media accounts that we spend each day logging into and scrolling through?

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Social media can be a much bigger asset than you think for helping you get a job. The job market is changing how you should do things; normally networking was something like an additional piece to the puzzle, a nice incentive, but if you didn’t have it you could get the job with other handy skills.

Nowadays, it still works like that, but with the added factor that simply being friends with someone on Facebook could give you an edge. It could bring you to the front of the line. Using social media to your advantage could give you the inside scoop on many jobs at your disposal, you just have to know how to use it appropriately to achieve what you want.

Here are few ways that social media, which as of now has been used for venting venues and gossip, can now be used as a platform for your resume and cover letters.

1. Linkedin: I can actually attest to this. I initially thought LinkedIn was a site to be a distraction from your Facebook. Future employers can look at this like your social media and stay away from all your other online presences. But just the other day, I realized that it is also for job hunting as well.

Linkedin is especially helpful, seeing that your resume and skills are all on that site if someone wanted to know what you have done and your potential. You can direct message people and vice versa, and you can also get vouchers from your peers and colleagues saying that you are proficient in what you’ve done and the skills that you have obtained along the way. First and foremost, giving this site the once over should be the first thing on your list of things to do before you set your sights anywhere else.

2. Social Media Jobs: Social media is an actual job if you can believe it. With the world going towards online and social media, companies are increasing their traffic by adding social media accounts and hiring people to maintain them on a daily basis. These are great side jobs for students and may even potentially lead to something bigger, unless what you are doing suits you.

So social media can help you get a job but social media can also BE the job. Also, being so involved in a company’s social media can help you get access to other future employers; while you are working you can also be exploring.

3. Friends: Your friends are your friends for a reason. They are there to help you, and their connections may just help you reach your goal. Being friends with the right people can help you get ahead, and making sure you friend the right people on your social media can be the difference between ‘we’ll call you, don’t call us’ and ‘welcome to the team.’

Don’t be a user and take your friends for granted, but make sure you mention them when you speak to your future employer and say some nice things; they would really appreciate it in the long run. Also, knowing the right people will reflect well on you and give you a good first impression without you having to say a single word. Being the friend of a friend has never sounded so sweet.

Social media is a crazy concept, but it is a manageable one that can do wonders for your future if you learn to use it the right way and make it work for you.

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