Most of us will be graduating soon and the pressures to find a job are becoming more intense as graduation approaches. We are all aware that certain social media tools, like LinkedIn and Twitter, are excellent tools to engage in while looking for a job. There are over 500 public relations jobs listed on LinkedIn and I get at least 20 tweets a day about PR job openings on my Twitter feed. But one social media tool many of us might not think about using to find a job is YouTube.
There are numerous creative ways you can present yourself on YouTube and appeal to potential employers. YouTube is one social media tool that is not just for our generation. Professionals of all ages can use web video to expand their reach and seek out new clients or employees. Mashable.com suggested the 5 following ways to get a job using YouTube:
1. Promote Yourself: it is a free way to market your strengths and creativity; it is instantly accessible and more creative than a plan paper resume.
2. Post and Hope: Perfect example, Justin Bieber. Now while we are trying to get public relations jobs, not be a famous pop start, the same concept can be applied to us. Post videos of something public relations related that you excel in. If you excel in developing crisis communication, post a video explaining what you think a company should do in a specific crisis. Or if you excel in developing social media strategies, post a video with a strategy you created.
3. Build It: This tactic is more for people who are not comfortable putting their face on camera. As students aspiring to land jobs in a field where being the spokesperson for a company is very plausible, most of us probably don't have a problem being in front of people or a camera. This tactic is meant to showcase your online capabilities. If you are really good at build web sites or creating online content, this avenue is meant to make a video showcasing those talents.
4. Be Creative: Show potential employers that you can think outside of the box and come up with unique ideas that would be an asset to their company. Creating a YouTube video showcasing your talents is way more creative than sending in a cover letter and resume. Creating a video also shows employers that you know how to use social media tools and might add to their interest in hiring you.
5. Enter Online Contests: Online contests are huge in social media right now. YouTube has an entire page dedicated solely to online contests. Take a peek at the page and if there is a company offering a contest that is at all related to public relations, enter it! This will show companies that you are proactive, creative, and willing to participate. All of these qualities are appealing to employers and if they like what they see in your entry, you might even get offered a job!
Using social media to find jobs can produce endless opportunities. When deciding what social media tools to engage in, consider the advantages and opportunities YouTube can provide. Using YouTube to market yourself could end up getting you a great job.
http://mashable.com/2010/10/23/youtube-job/
I like this idea of using a different media outlet to appeal to potential employers. It is something I have never thought about before. I will explore this new idea of using YouTube in a way I haven't. This could definitely give a person some edge over other potential candidates for a job.
ReplyDeleteI agree using Youtube is a smart way to promote ones self, whether they are in hunt for a day-to-day job or to simply get noticed and receive fame like many before such as J. Bieber, or the recent “Hide your kids and wife” guy. Although most of us will not get famous through Youtube the more probable outcome is getting a decent job. It would be cool for those innovators who utilized Youtube and received jobs to post tips and some advice to those still searching. It will to interesting to see how well this works for those currently seeking employment in the months to come.
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