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When used effectively, social media can be a powerful tool for job search success, helping you to network, share ideas, represent yourself, and so much more. Here are five tips for leveraging social media to stand out in a crowded job market.

1. Clean Up Your Social Accounts

recruiters have rejected a candidate after looking at their Facebook page. So, the first thing you need to do when leveraging social media is to clean up old accounts before proactively using these platforms to create a professional online presence. This might require you to remove content and photos that don’t paint you in the best light. You should also optimize your bios and profiles to reflect who you are and what makes you unique. This is particularly important when using professional platforms like LinkedIn.

2. Connect and Engage with Industry Leaders

Some platforms are far more professional and relevant than others, depending on the industry you want to work in. However, all platforms provide you with the opportunity to connect with industry leaders, brands, and the big players in your field. By following and engaging with thought leaders, you can stay up to date on the latest industry trends. You can also look for relevant job opportunities and start to build your professional network.

3. Join Relevant Groups and Discussions

There are loads of great industry-specific groups out there that you can join, particularly on platforms like Facebook. There are also industry-specific social networking platforms and forums you can take part in. This gives you the opportunity to share business-oriented content that adds value to others, for example, news stories or your thoughts on the latest trends. You can also recommend thought leadership pieces and other career-related content.

By joining these groups, you can learn more about your industry and strengthen your passion, giving you more talking points during the hiring process. Not only that but you can grow your network as well. As part of this process, you should also join relevant groups related to hiring, where you can find job opportunities from companies in your industry.

4. Highlight Your Skills and Experience on LinkedIn

LinkedIn is so much more than a social media site. It’s the biggest job website in the U.S. with 750 million monthly users, so you’d be crazy to ignore it! This platform allows you to set out your skills and experience, as well as your education, much like you would on your resume. You can also write an engaging personal profile about who you are and what you've achieved. This makes it much easier for potential employers to check you out. It also makes it much easier for you to apply for jobs, with thousands posted to the site each day. You can even set up job alerts, so you don't miss out on any relevant opportunities.

5. Research Companies and the Latest Industry Trends

The final way you can leverage social media is by using it to research companies, either before applying to work at their company or before an interview. You can also follow brands you enjoy to see if they share any relevant job opportunities on their social media platforms. Similarly, you can use these platforms to stay up to date with industry trends and to conduct research. For example, you can search for relevant hashtags to find out about news or changes in your field. This can help you during the job search, as well as when writing applications and attending interviews, showing your passion, and understanding of the industry.