Can Social Media Get You A Job?

On the surface it would indeed be true to say that using social media can enhance your chances of securing a job.  Most importantly it is an excellent tool for networking with many recruiters posting jobs on Facebook, Twitter or LinkeIn. Recruiters can also search through profiles so having an up to date work resume on LinkedIn or Facebook is always going to be beneficial.

Furthermore, using social media to actively pinpoint jobs demonstrates that you are digitally savvy. This is an impressive skill to have especially as there are so many openings in the digital space at the moment.

The numbers speak for themselves with 16% of workers in 2011 finding their job through social media. This is up from 11% in 2010. Using social media will allow you to find “hidden” jobs that are not advertised on job boards or in newspapers. A further 16% of job seekers got a job referral through Facebook in the last year. This figure stands at 9% for LinkedIn and 6% for Twitter.

However, it is important to note that not all industries will appreciate the use of social media to land a job. Moreover, 54% of all job seekers use Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn so to really stand out you may need to do more than just reply to a post on a social network. Social media is highly impersonal so although it is a great tool for finding a job, the more traditional method of writing a proper letter to a named individual can have more impact.

Top tips for those using social media include:

• Facebook – Post “Notes”. These stay on friend’s feeds longer than status updates. Use them to describe your situation and job interests.
• Twitter – Follow companies and job feeds. Follow companies you would like to work for, as well as their employees. Reach out to them and enquire about jobs.
• LinkenIn – Use a profile picture that you use on multiple sites. Using one profile picture will show you to be consistent and memorable.

Useful Links: https://www.linkedin.com/

http://recruiting.jobvite.com/

http://mashable.com/2011/12/11/can-facebook-get-you-a-job/

It is the small things that make a difference

It is the small things that make a difference. No, I am not giving relationship advice neither am I talking about the fiscal policies of European countries. Rather, I am talking about the small, easy steps you can take to stand out from the crowd when applying for a job.

You only need to be 5% better than the other candidates to land a job. However, with competition for places so fierce, it can be the little things you do when applying for a job that make you 100% better in the eyes of the employer. At Lifestep, we have come up with a few easily doable steps that can add real value to your job application and have so far proven to be successful in securing interviews.

i.            Presentation – Instead of typing up your cover letter and CV and then sending it via email to the jobs inbox of that company, perhaps never to be read, write up a proper letter that clearly targets one or two named individuals within that company. You can type the main body of the letter, but for a personal touch, the individuals name at the beginning and your name at the end should be handwritten.

ii.            Stationary – To make your letter stand out, use top quality letter writing paper. Printing your letter on standard A4 will look sloppy whereas quality paper will demonstrate to the employer you have taken a bit more time and effort and that you are someone who cares about good presentation.

iii.            Delivery – So you have decided to write a well presented letter to a specific individual. Obviously you cannot now send this by email but as you have gone to the time and effort to write this letter using good quality paper, it would be a shame to just post it. To make yourself really stand out and to quite literally go the extra mile, why not hand deliver the letter to the company to ensure the targeted individual reads the letter. You don’t have to actually march up to his/her desk, just drop it at reception and ask the secretary to make sure said individual get the letter because when they do, they will be sure to read it.

As the current Lifestep intern, I can testify to the success of these measures having so far fired off 4 applications in this manner and having received 3 positive replies within a week asking for me to come in for an interview.

Links: http://lifestep.co.uk/

 

Case Study – Insurance industry wakes up to the benefits of internships

It is not just graduates who are waking up to the importance of internships, employers are too. Lloyd’s of London, the world’s leading and oldest specialist insurance and reinsurance market has recently begun a generalist graduate programme. In 2008 it was recognised that there was a need for young talent. Now in its fourth year they received 1000 applicants for the generalist entry programme and 11 were offered positions this year with a further 9 graduates joining a new specialist claims programme. Furthermore, there is a 10 week summer internship which next year will take on 6 second year students.

The generalist programme lasts 18 months with three six month placements covering different aspects of the organisation. As well as being able to choose from a range of disciplines there is a salary of £26,000. Upon completion they may join the corporation, which supports and regulates the market, and work in its internal regulatory affairs or they might get jobs as an assistant underwriter in a firm. The specialist claims graduate programme caters for those wishing for a fast-track in working in insurance claims. Over a 12 month period graduate trainees will experience two placements with claims ranging across the marine, aviation and energy sectors.

No matter what is reported in the news there will always be a need for bright young graduates. Internships are a great way of getting that first job. Many employers offer interns jobs directly on completion and those that do not get a job leave with their skills and reputation greatly enhanced and will find it much easier to get a job in the industry they have done that internship in. So make yourself stand out, show a bit of hunger and get an internship!

Useful Links: http://www.lloyds.com/Lloyds/Careers/Graduates