Would you 'like' a job in social media?
These days, employers expect candidates to know how to use digital communication skills to their full potential. You're probably already using Facebook, Twitter and YouTube in your personal life, but how about using your social sharing skills to land you a job after graduation? Just about every major company has a social media presence these days, and with a little planning, you can turn your love of social media into a satisfying and dynamic career.
Making friends
In the past, word of mouth was one of the best types of advertising for a company. These days, although the methods may have changed, the idea is pretty much the same. Recommendations on Facebook and Twitter have become a major way for marketing professionals to promote their products and services, and today's consumers expect companies to respond to their individual concerns and comments. Social media platforms enable firms to do this like never before.
One skill that social media professionals should possess is knowing how to reach out to potential customers, as well as engage consumers a company already has. Whereas just a few years ago it would have been difficult to believe, today, organizations employ dedicated staff to monitor social media websites for mentions of their brand or products and respond to questions and comments. Building a brand using websites like Facebook is a much more organic process than other forms of marketing, such as direct mail, and social media marketing is becoming a vital role in many companies.
Right up your tweet
From major brands to boutique stores, everybody's jumping on the social media marketing bandwagon, and there's never been a better time to take the plunge and find that perfect job.
"I think it’s a great time to find a job in social media," Hayley Saltzman, social media editor of Seventeen magazine, told USA Today. "Every brand and company wants to have a strong social presence, so there are endless opportunities."
However, just because companies need social media professionals doesn't mean they'll hire just anyone. According to an infographic published by MindFlash.com, candidates hoping to launch careers in the social media space should be prepared to get creative with their approach to building a company's brand. A keen understanding of how social media platforms connect with one another, and how users share content across multiple streams, can really set you apart from the competition.
You don't need to be a marketing major to land a job in social media, but a demonstrable knowledge of how to leverage the power of these platforms could be a valuable addition to your resume.
