Although it is not always something that we think about, it is quite incredible to notice how the world has changed over the course of the last decade. This not only highlights the sheer pace of technological advancement and how it is rapidly changing the world around us, but it also reveals the social and geopolitical shifts that have altered the reality of the Western world.

To understand this further, take a look at the financial market and services sector. While securing credit once required us to visit traditional banks and lenders, for example, individuals and business-owners can now leverage a number of alternative options when seeking funds. This is reflected by the growing range of financial products within the space, from car title loans to crowdfunding.

The Rise of Social Media and How it Can Influence Your Job Search

Of course, the last decade also saw the irrepressible rise, growth and diversification of social media. Facebook regularly has in excess of one billion unique users each day, for example, while it also emerging as a popular search engine and core business marketing tool. Incredibly, social channels are now increasingly influential elements of the contemporary job search, both in terms of the data that they supply to employers and their potential to connect people and brands.

With this in mind, let’s take a look at how you can use social media to direct your job search and improve your chances of finding work:

1. Use LinkedIn to Connect with Industry Partners 

Recently, social media has emerged as a key element of the manufacturing industry, as brands have looked to forge lucrative and mutually-beneficial partnerships through channels such as LinkedIn. The reason for this is simple, as the cultivation of viable and engaging partnerships are crucial to success within the sector (particularly in competitive niches).

The same principle can be applied to your job search, as the process of connecting with market leaders and industry influencers can make the process of sourcing opportunities far easier. It also builds relationships with potential employers, while distinguishing you as a proactive and knowledgeable candidate for work.

2. Build an Audience and Showcase Your Skills 

If you are looking to gain skilled work, you can leverage social media to showcase your relevant skills and market yourself as a candidate. Of course, your precise choice of channels will depend on the nature of your desired career and unique skill-set, as each social medium is distinct in its nature and offers different benefits to users.

An ambitious make-up artist who wishes to secure a position of employment should consider establishing a YouTube channel, for example, before uploading regular broadcasts that demonstrate their skills. This represents the ideal medium of purpose and medium, particularly when you consider that YouTube boasts a unique user base of more than one billion.

Conversely, aspiring copywriters or service providers should consider creating a regularly updated blog and sharing this extensively across an integrated social presence (including sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter depending on your intended audience). Such as tip allows you to showcase the technical excellence of your work while also highlighting your industry knowledge, proactive nature and ability to engage.

3. Create An Online Portfolio That is Driven by Your Achievements and Knowledge 

On a similar note, you should be afraid to fuel your job search with self-promotion and recommendations as well as knowledge. This is a winning combination on social media, and to understand this further, you simply look at how insurers operate within the space.

Not only do brands use social media to educate customers on industry facts and trends (such as the various factors that impact on your home insurance premiums), for example, but they are also not shy and soliciting endorsements and recommendations from customers. They are also quick to include positive customer ratings and reviews to build trust with new segments and demographics.

Industries within this sector understand that we live in a recommedation economy, and this also applies to job seekers. To capitalise on this, consider creating an online portfolio that includes compelling examples of your work, as you select the pieces that are most striking and relevant to your job search. You should also consolidate these examples with testimonials from previous employers (or clients if you have freelanced), as this reinforces your credibility as a candidate.

Ultimately, it is not enough to have skills and market them, as you must effectively sell them too. These steps will help you to achieve this and gain a competitive advantage over rival candidates for work.