Looking for jobs through social media

You can use social media sites like Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter to find a job and connect with people who may help develop your career. It is important that the information you post online matches the information on your CV. You should also think about who can access your online data.

Here are some ways to use your online presence to support your job search.

Facebook – You can use Facebook to connect with people you know, but you can also use your public Facebook page for networking. Some companies have even created Facebook applications for career searches.

Rezoomo – This site helps you build an online interactive CV that you can share with employers. You can use Rezoomo to display the key moments in your work and life experience through video, audio, documents, social media and more. You can get more job-seeking information in the Rezoomo Career Hub.

LinkedIn – This is a professional social network that is very useful when you are looking for work. Here are some of the ways you can use it for your job search.

• You can create a personal profile using your education, career details, skills, expertise and interests for employers to see.
• You can use the company search in LinkedIn to conduct a search on a company and find people connected to other people you know.
• You can search for jobs in the Find Jobs feature. This section also suggests jobs you may be interested in.
• Employers advertise jobs on the Job Postings section of LinkedIn.
• You can send an email to everyone in your LinkedIn network.
• You can create a blog link which you can link with your LinkedIn profile. Each time you post a new blog, the blog link updates your profile so that people can see what you are writing about. The updated post also goes out in the weekly update emails to your connections.
• Friends, colleagues and former colleagues can endorse your work skills and experiences and this is visible to potential employers.

Twitter lets you connect with other users based on your common interests. Here are some ways to use it for job searches.

• You can find people who share your interests by using the basic networking in Twitter.
• If you follow someone on Twitter, read their bio thoroughly. If they work somewhere you are interested in, or if you think they can connect you to others, you can get in touch with them through Twitter.
• You can follow recruiters and job sites on Twitter to see their job postings.

Online job fairs and webinars

A job fair is an event where employers and trainers give information to jobseekers. A webinar is an event where speakers deliver presentations to jobseekers online.

As part of the new way of working, there are now more online recruitment and job fairs taking place.

European Job Days are dynamic recruitment events that bring jobseekers and employers together.

Eventbrite has a wide range of online recruitment and job fairs events taking place in Ireland.

Online interviews

During an online interview

Maintain eye contact – Look directly at the camera as you will then appear to be looking directly at the interviewer.

Slow down – Wait for the interviewer to stop speaking before you answer as sometimes there may be a time delay in the voice aspect (sound).

Hold a pen to occupy your hands – This will help you to keep your hands down while being interviewed.

Use a steady chair – Don’t use a chair that moves easily, such as a swivel chair. This is a distraction during an interview. Use a sturdy chair that is comfortable such as a kitchen chair.

Tips to help you prepare for an online interview

Device – Check your device before the interview to make sure everything is working.  Make sure the power cables are connected, or your battery is fully charged.

Software – There are several software programs that are used for video interviewing. Find out which software the interviewer would like you to use and test it to make sure it works with your device. Some of the current popular software programs used for video interviewing are Skype, Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Google Meet.

Testing – Test the microphone and speakers in your device to make sure that the sound is clear. Use headphones if you find it difficult to hear through your speakers.

Camera – If you are using a web cam (camera), adjust it so your head and shoulders are in the middle of the screen. Don’t have the camera so near you that the interviewer can only see you face or so far away that they can see everything in the room.

Lighting – Make sure that there is good lighting and there are no shadows on your face. Place a light on the left hand side to light your face evenly. You can use a window as a light source if you are being interviewed in the daytime.

Background – Ideally, use an area with a clear background and remove all distractions such as books or family photographs. Close windows and doors to avoid outside noise while online. Remind others in your home that you are being interviewed and place a ‘Do not disturb’ sign on the door to prevent interruptions.

Technical issues – Have the interviewer’s contact number available for emergencies. If something happens, for example the electricity goes or you lose your internet connection during the interview, contact the interviewer immediately to let them know and reschedule the interview.

How to use the video online software

All software works differently, so use the tips and guides on the software companies’ websites to find out how to use their software. Here are two examples of current video online software support available:

• Skype has interactive content on its features page that shows you how to use audio and video calling, screen sharing and how to ace your interview. 
• Zoom has webinars (online meetings) and ‘on demand’ content to get you up to speed. You can access this on the Zoom Training Course resource.