The Importance of a Consistent Job Search Message on Socials

It is hard to know your mind when you are exploring the myriad of possible options for your next career move. Still, as so much of your job will be in the public domain of social media, it is important that you at least convey the impression that you have a pre-meditated plan with a consistent job search message.

If you change your LinkedIn profile as often as you change your socks, you will convey the opposite.

While it is appropriate to tailor a CV for each prospective employer, in my view, social media profiles are different. There might be a period of 4-6 weeks from initial contact to the final interview with any given hiring company. During that time, you can be sure that multiple people will check you out on social media regularly. How you present yourself on LinkedIn (to take the most common example) is a reflection of your mind.

If your profile changes daily, what are people supposed to think?

Will you be equally indecisive when you are making decisions for them?

This is where an element of sacrifice comes in.

Of course, I am sure that you would love your LinkedIn profile to reflect your latest thinking on your job search. However, unless you have wildly changed direction, I would suggest coming up with the best profile that covers a broad amount of bases and conveys a consistent job search message. You haven’t got the space to be too specific. If you are omitting various parts of your broader experience, then certain left-field opportunities may not come along at all.

In my view, a LinkedIn profile (and summary) should offer an appetiser into what you are all about, but if those 300-350 words on your LinkedIn summary are constantly changing, how would someone have confidence in you if you don’t even know your mind?

Powerful job search message

The same goes for LinkedIn headlines – find a powerful message and stick with it.

This is not to say there is no room for creativity or subtlety on social.

Very few candidates use the opportunity to write personal blogs on LinkedIn. These blogs stay at the top of your profile – serious employers will read them.While a profile should be relatively consistent, you can write about whatever you like in these blogs, thus creating an extra dimension to your value proposition. I am currently swamped with ghostwriting blogs for candidates on an individual and outplacement basis. Job seekers understand that they need to take every possible opportunity to communicate their value.

The subtlety of your application will have plenty of chance to unfold at the various interview stages. You can explore different aspects of your experience and how you may fit the opportunity. Employers understand that your basic social profile cannot (and won’t) be hyper-targeted for their specific role. If you try to be everything to all men, you will likely be nothing to no one.

Carefully think through your social persona before you start your job search – don’t just make it up as you go along. Trust me, people will notice. It isn’t a good look.

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This blog is shared with Job Seeker Duetists. 

Written by former recruitment ghostwriter Paul Drury (not AI).