Top Social Media Mistakes in Your Job Search

Social media began as something that was primarily for personal communication. But as it’s evolved, not only have companies embraced it as a way to market their brands, but individuals have turned to using it when they’re looking for a new job.

Unfortunately, not everyone gets the results they want from using this medium. And in some cases, people actually put themselves in a worse position as a result of their social media use.

To ensure that your social media tactics actually help your job search, let’s look at several common mistakes you should avoid:

Getting Distracted

The problem with social media is it’s so easy to get distracted and completely shift your attention to something that has nothing to do with what you’re trying to accomplish. Sure, it might be more interesting look through photos of an old friend that you just reconnected with, but you need to stay focused on your goal, which is to get a job.

The best way to combat this common problem is to set concrete limits for yourself. Give yourself something like 15 minutes at the start of your day to do whatever you want on social media. When your 15 minutes is up, get down to business.

Viewing It as a Silver Bullet

There are many examples of people who have used social media to find new jobs. While it can be an effective tool, that doesn’t mean it should be the only one that you utilize. By taking advantage of all the resources you have at your disposal — job alerts, networking, career fairs — and casting the widest net possible, you’ll get much better results than if you limit yourself to only social media.

Expecting Too Much, Too Soon

Just like it’s not realistic to expect to lose twenty pounds of fat in a week, thinking that you can create a LinkedIn profile and find a great new job in a matter of days is only setting yourself up for disappointment. Because social media is all about people, it takes time to build the types of relationships that can bring about meaningful opportunities. That’s why even if you’re currently 100% satisfied with your job, it’s still worth dedicating a small amount of your free time to building your professional network on these sites.

By taking a slow but consistent approach, you can develop a real network that consists of authentic relationships with people who truly want to see you succeed with all your professional goals.

Next: How to Get Noticed By Employers on Social Media »

About the Author

Carly is a freelance writer who is very interested in developments in the career world. She has a number of interests but mostly writes about career development and her online school experience.