In today’s hiring landscape, using social media to advance your career is simply no longer an option. With many potential employers searching for profiles on online accounts such as Google+ and LinkedIn, being social media savvy is essential.
A 2014 survey of 350 nurse practitioners and physician assistants by Clinical Advisor found that several respondents credited social media with helping them further their career. When asked how participants were using the biggest social media sites, they discovered about 45% were using social media for career purposes.
Of the respondent demographics that used social media for business or career purposes:
- 48% used LinkedIn
- 36% used Google+
- 26% used Facebook
If you’re not using social media, here are some reasons why you should start now:
Connections & Job Opportunities
Social media can be a terrific resource to network and build relationships that can help advance your career. Social media may be particularly helpful to nurses just entering the workforce because recruiters will often look for recent graduates or young candidates who are just starting their career in the medical field. Nurses may also be able to connect with other nurses to gain insight into whether a particular nursing field is right for them.
Résumé and Career Boosters
Depending on how involved you become in social media, the communication and technical skills you obtain from it can actually help you advance in your career. For instance, some nurses create their own blog as a way to connect with others in the nursing community and share information. Creating and managing a blog typically requires strong communication, marketing, design and time management skills. These skills can be translated into many different health sectors, from clinical informatics to critical care nursing.
Times Have Changed
You may be surprised to learn many prospective employers and recruiters are now shifting away from accepting résumés for job employment. Some health companies no longer offer online applications. Instead, the new method of recruiting has become searching online professional profiles for qualified candidates.
In today’s business world, it is essential to have – and maintain – a professional online presence via LinkedIn, Google+ or other professional network. The days of filling out online applications are ending. Make sure your professional profile showcases your knowledge, talent, skills and traits, so that you can get the attention of employers.
There’s Always Room For Growth
Healthcare professionals, especially nurses, should never stop learning their trade. There are too many new innovations, medicines and treatment plans in the industry to relax and quit learning and growing in your career. If healthcare professionals refuse to keep up, they will likely be left behind.
Social media can help make it easier to brush up on a variety of healthcare topics, and help you stay current with news and other relevant information. For instance, you may want to use Twitter to follow up-to-the-second news on a relevant issue in nursing, or you may want to participate in healthcare discussions via a social media chat board or discussion room. Use social media to your advantage.
Social media doesn’t have to be scary. You may feel out of place at first as you learn the digital ropes, but in the long term, it can serve as a beneficial resource for personal growth and professional advancement.
