Have you used social media to your advantage on the job hunt? If not, you’re missing out on a big opportunity!

If you’re in the process of looking for a new job, there’s a huge value in doing some spring cleaning of your social media profiles. Even if you have already established a professional social media presence, there are many ways you can improve your online reputation so it works to your advantage in the job search.

When it’s your time to find new jobs in Houston, here are some ways you can make yourself a more attractive candidate to potential employers as you clean up your social media profiles.

Update Your Profiles

Many people create a professional presence on sites like LinkedIn and Facebook, only to let their profiles become dormant and outdated over the course of several months or years. If you’re serious about your job search – and your social media reputation – it’s imperative that you regularly update your accounts.

This involves making sure your profiles include all your employment history, skills and education credentials, as well as relevant industry references. It’s also important to make sure you have a current, professional headshot. Shoot for achieving “All-Star” status on LinkedIn as a benchmark for success in preparing your profiles. Having online profiles that are outdated is almost as bad as not having them at all!

Engage and Make Meaningful Connections

Social media is practically useless if you fail to use it for engagement purposes. Even having the best online profiles in the world will mean nothing without building meaningful connections! Connecting with individuals in your industry is the first step to leveraging your social media presence for the sake of landing a new job.

What you may not realize is that recruiters and hiring managers are now turning predominantly to sites like LinkedIn to find viable candidates. This means who you know online is just as important as what you know. While you should certainly reach out and introduce yourself to hiring managers, you can also organically connect with potential employers by joining alumni and industry networking groups.

Search for Yourself Online

Knowing what can be easily found about you in a simple Google search is one of the most powerful pieces of knowledge you can have. When it comes to the Internet, perception is reality. Every few months, make a point to search your full name on all the major search engines – Google, Bing, Yahoo and the like. As you review the search results, pay attention to what appears. If what you find is unprofessional in nature, this is a clear sign it’s time to reshape your social media presence!

Looking for new job opportunities in Texas? Carlton Staffing has remained committed to providing innovative staffing solutions to Houston, Dallas and Fort Worth companies for 39 years. Contact us today to connect with one of our staffing specialists who can help you navigate the job market.