3 social media platforms to use to your advantage in your job hunt

Did you know that you can find many recruiters on social media? This includes our own banking and financial recruitment company.
This is because many companies and recruiters are using social media to find the perfect candidates for their roles.
Which means it’s more important now than ever before to make sure you’re using social media to accurately represent yourself when hunting for a job.
Think of it this way: Your CV will only be seen by select recruiters and the company you’ve applied with, but your online profiles can increase your visibility and allow you to be seen by more potential employers in the world.
It provides you with the opportunity to put your experience into the public domain, and network with professionals in your field and elsewhere.
So let’s start with the most well known social media site for job seekers:

LinkedIn

LinkedIn has over 500 million users worldwide, with 40% of those users logging in each month.
Whilst these may not be quite the level of platforms like Facebook and Twitter, LinkedIn is one of the most popular B2B networking social media sites out there.

  • What does this mean for you?

Well it means you shouldn’t underestimate its importance, especially when it comes to talking to other professionals in your sector, as it can really aid in your job search.

  • What can you do on this platform to help you stand out?

Aside from connecting with friends and colleagues, you’ll want to build a strong base of connections.
You can do this by connecting with thought leaders, those in companies you would like to work for, and with people you share similar interests with.
This will ensure your feed will be filled with relevant content, most importantly, job openings.
Think of your LinkedIn profile as an online CV that anyone has access to.
But with this CV you are able to ask questions, show your knowledge about your sector through posts, and participate in meaningful discussions.
You can even use tools like recommendations to allow you to gain testimonials for past roles.
These recommendations can really make you stand out for those who are searching.

  • Alternatively, you can also look for roles yourself on this platform.

LinkedIn offers a section which allows you to check out recommended job listings.
You can also connect with recruiters in your area.
By connecting with recruiters you can be offered jobs that are not yet advertised, or follow their feeds for roles in your sector.
Pretty good if you ask us!
Using LinkedIn as a part of your job hunting strategy?
Why not check out our LinkedIn company page to be updated on any roles?

Twitter

Over 500 million tweets are sent each day.
That’s a crazy number of tweets.
According to Hootsuite it works out to 5,787 tweets every second!
Not to mention 75% of B2B businesses market on Twitter, making it a prime place to connect and get to know employers.

  • What does this mean for you?

In order to get the maximum impact from Twitter in your job search you can use the platform to:
+ Network with industry insiders.
+ Build your own personal brand.
+ Research potential companies and interviewers.
+ Find hidden job leads.

  • What can you do on this platform to help you stand out?

A good place to start would be by following any companies you would like to work with, and by affiliation any amazing recruitment companies.
If you want to curate a personal feed of companies, consider creating a private list.
This will allow you to have a separate list from any followers outside of your job hunt, whilst also keeping updated with a specialised job feed.
You can also use the list function for other areas, such as thought leaders and industry influencers.
This can provide you with content to share to your followers, and to keep updated on industry news.
Aim to build a following that will be interested in your content, and as a result, your word on sector topics.
It is said that 70% of employers snoop candidates’ social media profiles before making a hiring decision.
So ensure that your profile isn’t filled with drunken photos, or rants about your current employers, and you should be good to go!

  • To round up?

+ Be selective about the type of content that you post on Twitter.
+ Create specialised lists to help with your job search.
+ Follow recruiters and companies relevant to your sector.
+ And post regularly!

Facebook

As one of the most well known social media platforms around, Facebook has around 1.49 billion daily active users, meaning it’s not to be ignored!
With the addition of their job board section, Facebook can be a valuable part of your job search.

  • What does this mean for you?

With that many daily users, we guarantee your ideal employer will be on here.
They may be using it in their down time, or utilising the Facebook page features, but they’re most likely using it.

  • What can you do on this platform to help you stand out?

Ideally, you’ll want to start off by ensuring your profile is not showcasing the wrong features.
Facebook stresses that potential employers will only see public information if they’re not connected with you.
So how can you use this to your advantage?
What do you want a recruiter or employer to see?
We’d recommended including your skills and jobs in the about tab of your profile.
You could even consider adding life events that convey interesting and relevant information.
Alternatively, you could create a Facebook page.
This would allow you to only post content that is relevant to your career, and as a result, your job search.
You could even do an advert showing the fact you’re looking for a role…just make sure your current employers are not included in the advert settings.
You’ll also want to consider following any potential employers on their Facebook page and engaging with their content.
Another fantastic feature of Facebook is their newly launched job board, which employers and recruiters can post to when jobs come up.

Our final notes?

With the use of these social media tips, and an excellent banking and financial services recruitment company, we’re sure you’ll have your new role in no time at all.
However, if you’re still looking, remember you can speak to our team about what role you may be best suited to, or view our current opportunities.

/by

Master your interview technique in 5 simple steps

You’ve managed to get an incredible interview thanks to a specialist banking and financial recruitment company.
Hurray! Congrats on this crucial first step, now all you need to do is nail that interview.
You’ll need to be able to present yourself well, and a polished communication style could make all the difference in whether you nail it.
But don’t worry we’re here to help!
So here are some tips to help you master your interview technique:

1. Research the company


You’ll learn a lot about the company during the interview—like whether it’s a good fit for you, but this should not be the time to learn basic information.
Before attending the interview, you’ll want to have done all research possible.
Take some time, in advance, to learn as much as you can.

There you can review their mission statement and history, services, and information about the company culture.
Maybe even read a blog or two to get a feel for their tone of voice.

  • Next, you’ll want check their social media accounts.

This will give you a good sense of how the company likes to be viewed.
Then you can like or follow them to get updates (and whilst you’re at it, maybe give some of our accounts a cheeky like too!).
You could possibly even take a look at your interviewers LinkedIn profile, and get an insight into any common links.

Identify their competitors strengths and weaknesses, as well as any trends in your sector.
This may help you get ahead in many of the questions, or give you an extra leg to stand on.

  • Your recruiter should know their client well.

Our team take pride in knowing our clients incredibly well, and having a keen insight into the financial and banking sectors thanks to our accumulated years of expertise.
Knowing our clients goes both ways, we know the interviewee well, and the interviewer, so are prepared to answer questions from both sides.

2. Prepare well crafted, detailed answers


This truly goes hand in hand with our first section on doing your research.
Giving strong answers is the best way to showcase your communication skills.
This can be incredibly useful, especially when your role requires you talking to clients on behalf of a business.
Preparing yourself to have answers that show your expertise, and backing up the answers you provide through your CV, is an easy way to impress your potential employers.

3. Dress for the job or company


You’ve heard the saying dress to impress, right?
The same goes for the interview; dress for the job you want, not the job you have.
Whether you wear a suit or something less formal depends on the company culture and the position you are seeking.
If you’re unsure what to wear, ask your recruiter for the dress code before the interview.
First impressions are imperative, and whilst casual dress codes are becoming the norm in some workplaces, it doesn’t mean you can’t dress up a bit more for the all important interview.

4. Formulate questions to ask


When asked if you have any questions, what do you normally say?
If you usually say “No”, then you have the wrong answer.
The great thing about an interview is that asking questions goes both ways.
Part of mastering an interview is being ready to ask questions; whether it’s to demonstrate an interest in what goes on in your company, or to find out whether it’s the right place for you.
If all of your prepared questions get answered, think on your feet.
The best questions can come from listening during an interview and asking for more information on what they’ve said.
Expanding on the questions provided, and the conversations had from it.

5. Build a rapport from the very start

Greet your interviewer with a smile.
If they initiate small talk, get involved, but if not, start a conversation.
Polite conversation is always better than silence, and can make you feel more at ease going into the interview.
Most likely, to get the job they have, they’ll have been in your position, so will be able to put themselves in your shoes.
If your interviewer mentions a hobby they have, think about how to ask about it.
You’ll find that when people talk about what they like doing, they often will have a more relaxed body language.
In turn, this will put you more at ease.

Our final notes?

All is not lost if something goes wrong.
Just try to regain your composure, and remember it may have tripped up other people interviewing for the role too.
On the other hand, if you’re still looking for a role, remember you can interview for multiple roles at the same time, or speak to our bespoke banking and financial services team about what role you may be best suited to.

/by