The document discusses how to use social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and messaging apps, to help get your dream job. It provides 5 tips: 1) Be careful what you share publicly online since employers may screen candidates' social media, 2) Follow companies you want to work for on social media, 3) Create a professional LinkedIn profile and join relevant groups, 4) Use messaging apps wisely to connect with potential job leads, and 5) Google your name to check your online presence from an employer's perspective. The overall message is that social media can be leveraged as part of an effective job search strategy.

1. “Hello…” – Using Social Media To Get Your Dream Job
By Segun Akiode
Social media is not a new concept to many; it is what is in vogue now, the
‘in thing’. People find it even more comfortable to send you a Facebook
invite, follow you on twitter or ask for your BB pin than ask for your mobile
number these days. You know what I mean?
For every trend in the society today, one can induce some applicability to
the job search process. Remember, I said in my earlier post here that “From
a recruiter’s point of view, any job seeker that has a mind to win in the
talent war must take his/her job search seriously because job searching is a
job in itself!”.
SocialRecruiting is a growing trend in human resources today. In simple
terms, SocialRecruiting is the effective use of Social Media & Social Networks by employers to attract, source, engage
with and hire candidates. It is a relatively new concept which HR professionals in most parts of the world are using
to support their recruitment efforts.
Today, I want to share a few tips with you on how you can harness the social media secrets to hopefully secure your
next job.
1. Watch what you share on Facebook and Twitter: I know many may take
offence by that statement. I can hear your reply – “What do you mean? My
Facebook status/photos and my tweets are my private life now, how does
that affect you?”. Do you know that, some employers in Europe and US have
started the practice of screening candidates using social media? (oops! Hope
you do not get caught if this starts in Nigeria today!) So, take precaution with
what you share.
2. Like Your ‘Dream’ Companies’ Facebook Pages and follow their twitter handle:
So many job-related information are being posted/tweeted from time to time on a
Company’s FB page/twitter handle which you need to be part of to view them.
Keep yourself up-to-date by availing yourself of this. You may just be a click away from your next job!
3. Get a Professional LinkedIn Profile and Join useful LinkedIn Groups: I know many are familiar with
Facebook and Twitter already but only a few job-seekers know the
usefulness of LinkedIn. LinkedIn is more like Facebook for professionals. As a
recruiter, LinkedIn is my MOST USEFUL TOOL for sourcing for candidates.
Also, most professional groups on LinkedIn are FREE to join. Join useful
groups and participate in the discussion. Countless job openings are shared
on LinkedIn groups, many of which maybe what you have been looking for.
4. Use Yahoo! Messenger and BBM Broadcast wisely: While many ‘ping’ themselves
away with unnecessary discussions, a few ‘ping’ their way to their dream jobs. I must
say that once you are connected to the right source of information, the much needed
job information would get to you.

2. 5. Google Your Name: That is ‘strange’, right? Try it first then you would see how the world
views you. This is a way of checking your online presence and how it helps in projecting
you as a valuable employee. I do so many times.
In closure, I will leave you with one of my 2011 tweets on Socialrecruiting: SocialRecruiting is not a completely new
idea in the global HR space but in Nigeria it may be NEW! Feel free to drop your questions in the comment section
and as usual, I would attend to it.
About Segun Akiode: Segun is a Talent Acquisition Specialist | HR Professional | Blogger | Motivational Speaker |
Aspiring Father | He is a work in progress… Connect with him | twitter: @segunakiode | FB Profile: Akiode Segun
Oluwatosin | LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/segunakiode | FB Page: Nuggets For Nobles
|Blog: http://segunakiode.wordpress.com
Article was published January 26, 2012 on Jobberman Blog (http://blog.jobberman.com/jobs-in-
nigeria/2012/01/hello-potential-employer-using-social-media-to-get-your-dream-job/)
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