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Social Media
Find out how using social media can benefit your career.
Using social media for your career
LinkedIn, X (previously Twitter), Facebook, Instagram and other forms of social media can help guide your career path. You can connect with potential employers and their employees and research companies.
You can use it to find out more about what they do and the current issues affecting their business. This can help you write better job applications, and boost your confidence in interviews and assessment centres.
Interacting with employers online also demonstrates your interest in their organisation/sector.
Social media can also be valuable for speculative applications.
Your online reputation
Employers often research candidates online before selecting them, including looking at their social media. In some cases employers have withdrawn job offers because of a candidate's social media.
You have control of the image you project. Manage your digital footprint well and you can use it to make a positive impression. Whatever you write on a public website should be something that you would be happy for a recruiter to see. Make sure you check the privacy settings on your social media accounts.
More information
These websites have more information on using social media for job hunting and managing your online reputation.
There are many benefits to using LinkedIn for your career. However, you need to keep your account up to date and be proactive if you want it to work for you. Being active on LinkedIn increases your Google rankings. This means potential employers are more likely to find you. You can use LinkedIn to do the following:
Find jobs
Use LinkedIn to find advertised jobs. Some employers now use LinkedIn for direct recruitment. In some cases, you can submit your LinkedIn profile instead of a CV.
Make connections
Begin by connecting to existing contacts such as friends and family then:
- Connect with classmates, academics, colleagues and employers. These can be from part-time jobs and internships, volunteering, and extra-curricular activities.
- Connect with .
- Connect with people whose careers you admire (don't be intimidated by people in senior roles). Try to personalise requests.
- Use a keyword search relevant to your career interests. An example might be ‘digital marketing’, to show related profiles.
- Send messages. If you’re a member of the same group as someone, you can send them a direct message.
Show your interests
You can demonstrate your interest by:
- commenting on industry-specific articles and ask questions in LinkedIn groups. Show you're engaged and proactive. Asking a well-considered question demonstrates you are business and industry aware.
- avoiding controversy unless you want to create a particular professional persona.
- being conscious of what you ask in groups. Do your research before you ask a question and don’t ask anything that has an obvious answer.
Research organisations, roles, staff and jobs
Carry out research by:
- following company’s pages. Company pages often have details of the organisation's products and services. They also often include where people have worked before.
- finding staff who work for organisations you are interested in. Ask any contacts you make for information that could help you in the application process.
- investigating and getting inspiration for career paths. Look at profiles to see the key skills and experience current employees at a company have. Search by degree subject and get inspiration from graduates using
- checking your interviewer’s LinkedIn profile before an interview. Find out more about them and see if there is anything you have in common.
More information
Careers Service YouTube videos
Our tutorials on how to make the most of LinkedIn cover the following topics:
- Finding opportunities [3:31]
- Researching companies [3:26]
- Getting inspiration from others [3:13]
- Using groups [3:43]
- Making connections [2:56]
Websites with more LinkedIn advice
- LinkedIn profiles - Careers Service advice on creating a profile and getting feedback
- LinkedIn Help - get started with LinkedIn
- LinkedIn's blog - advice and tips from LinkedIn
- Students: How to use LinkedIn at uni to help you get a job when you graduate
X (previously Twitter)
There are many advantages to using X for your career. Use it to find vacancies and research the industry you're interested in. You can also network and promote yourself and your career interests.
It can be difficult to separate your personal and professional life on X. It's a good idea to have a separate professional account on X.
Find opportunities
- Nearly half of employers use X to advertise jobs. Follow official company accounts, use #hashtags. Subscribe to relevant X lists and post about your job search
- Promote yourself through your profile and in posts. Highlight any relevant work experience or blogs. Add your job pitch to your X profile and/or include a link to an online CV. Promote your X account by including it on your email signature or blog
Make contacts
Make useful contacts on X by:
- following employers, professional bodies, influential people, and news sources for your sector. You can use lists to find people who may be useful to you. If you follow people who share similar interest to you, they will often follow you back
- creating relationships and engaging in conversation - re-post and reply to other posts. Offer feedback, answer, and ask questions. Get involved in discussions and give your opinion
- posting links to interesting articles or news items shows your passion. Include the author or publisher’s X handle. Post interesting comments relating to what you want to do. Include useful websites and opinions on industry news and topics
- including hashtags in your posts. This will attract others with an interest in a particular subject to your profile
Use X for your research
You can use X for your career research by:
- spending time to sort the relevant from the irrelevant. You also need to take the time to build up your profile and be mindful of X ‘netiquette’
- reading posts to learn more about your sector and a company's culture. X is a powerful research tool. It offers direct access to an influential network.
- using X to prepare for interview. Prospective interviewer’s posts may reveal their personality. This can present a good opportunity for an icebreaker at interview
Make contacts
Make career contacts on Facebook by:
- joining groups, keeping track of your friends' updates, and keeping in touch with your network. This can be beneficial as you will rank higher in search engine results.
- using Facebook to like or follow companies and relevant groups, and read your news feed.
- discussing and posting news about a topic, industry or interest in Facebook groups. Join in or start discussions. Post links and resources, moderate or manage sections of the group.
- sending a friend invitation once you have had conversations with people in groups. They are likely to accept as you now know each other, albeit only online. The aim here is to network with and get noticed by others in your industry. This could lead to job opportunities.
Build an effective profile
Your Instagram profile acts as your digital business card. Optimise it by:
- choosing a professional username that aligns with your personal brand or career.
- using a high-quality profile picture to reflect your professionalism and approachability.
- creating a compelling bio. This should describe your expertise, interests, and aspirations. Include a link to your website or portfolio. This enables visitors to explore your work further.
- using relevant hashtags in your bio to make it easier for people to find you within your industry
- staying authentic, consistent, and focused on your professional goals.
Showcase your work
Instagram's visual nature makes it an ideal platform for showcasing your talent. Consider doing the following:
- posting high-quality images or videos. These can relate to your field, highlighting your projects or work.
- sharing your creative process, behind-the-scenes glimpses, or success stories to engage your audience.
- using Instagram Stories to provide real-time updates, industry insights, or sneak peeks.
- experimenting with different formats. Try carousels, videos, or infographics to diversify your content.
Make contacts
Building a network and engaging with others is key to growing your career on Instagram. Do this by:
- following and interacting with professionals, industry leaders, and relevant companies in your field.
- engaging with their content by liking, commenting, and sharing valuable insights.
- taking part in industry-related conversations and contribute to relevant hashtags.
- collaborating with influencers or like-minded professionals on joint projects or campaigns
- responding to comments and direct messages to develop connections.
Use Instagram features
Instagram offers various features that can build your career opportunities. Make the most of these by:
- using Instagram Reels to create short and engaging videos. These can showcase your skills or industry expertise.
- using IGTV (Instagram TV) to share longer-form videos, tutorials, or interviews.
- going live on Instagram to host Q&A sessions, webinars, or share insights.
- collaborating with brands or businesses for sponsored content or influencer partnerships. Platforms like Blogosphere connect influencers and brands.
- track your performance using Instagram Insights to analyse audience demographics, engagement, and reach.
More information
- How to promote your work through social media – includes advice on using Instagram to promote your work.
- Using Instagram for job searching