You’ve shared hundreds of photos on Instagram. You regularly ‘check in’ on Facebook and often tweet insightful observations on Twitter. You’re not a social media newbie. In fact, you’ve been known to use multiple networks every day. But did you know your social media habits can also help you find employment? Consider these five ways you can use social media to land an awesome hospitality job.
1. When you interact through social media, you can communicate directly with recruiters and hiring managers
These days, most employers are including social media in their recruiting efforts. According to a study conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), 89 percent of companies are currently doing so and an additional 9 percent plan to begin using social media soon. Whether they’re posting jobs or talking about industry trends on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter, many of these statements are made by the decision-makers themselves. This means responding to them—with comments, likes, retweets, etc.—can put you in direct contact with the hospitality recruiter or hiring manager you ultimately need to impress.
2. When you follow employer social media accounts, you may hear about new jobs first
As mentioned earlier, most employers have added or plan to add social media to their recruitment arsenal. For some—especially those who are eager to attract tech-savvy Gen Y and Z job seekers—social networking is often a major component of their plan. And while they still use job boards and other tools to source potential candidates, they may first announce new opportunities on Facebook and Twitter. If you follow the accounts of hotels and restaurants you’re interested in, you can be among the first to hear about these new jobs. With dozens to hundreds of applications received for every position, the earlier you get yours in the better your chances of standing out.
3. Working your social media connections can help you get a referral
In numerous surveys, employers have stated that referrals are usually their best source of quality hires. Many hotels and restaurants even have employee referral programs through which they reward their workers for referring qualified job seekers. Rather than taking your chances as a faceless name in a stack of resumes or applications, you can use social media to encourage a current employee or colleague to refer you. To do this, make sure everyone in your network knows you’re looking for a new hospitality opportunity. Build relationships with people who work at your target employers, and join social media hospitality groups so you can make additional connections.
4. Using social media to research the company and hiring manager can help you stand out in an interview
“Why do you want to work here?” and “Why should we hire you?” are two very common hospitality interview questions. Fortunately, a little social media research beforehand can help you answer them. Check out the hotel or restaurant’s Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter account to learn what’s going on with the business and find clues about their culture. If you know who you’ll be interviewing, research him or her as well. Details on their background, tenure, and current role at the hospitality company can help you connect on a deeper level.
5. Social media can help you build a personal brand
Personality and passion are important in hospitality. It’s a fast-paced, customer service-oriented industry, and employers want to hire professionals who are enthusiastic, committed to excellence, and great with a variety of people. More of today’s employers are using social media to pre-screen candidates for these characteristics. According to one study, the exact number has increased from 39 percent in 2013 to 52 percent in 2015. When you make sure your online profiles illustrate desirable traits, you make it easier for them to choose you.
To do this, take the time to regularly engage in online discussion and debate with other professionals in the hospitality industry. You can also share relevant hospitality news, ask questions about industry trends, and comment on other’s hospitality-related posts. Maintain a level of professionalism but don’t be afraid to be yourself so potential employers can also get a feel for your personality.