How To: Get A Job Via Social Media

Earlier this month I spent the best part of a week running around London, heading to a number of different talks, seminars and work shops in honour of London's Social Media Week. Where better to share with you all, my new found wisdom and knowledge then on a little social media platform of my own. 

Tonnes of talks from We Are Social, Forward 3D amongst many creative ad genii, but the one that really stood out for me was; 'Getting A Job Via Social' held at @forward3D featuring world leaders in social recruiting; @billboorman2, @cloudninerec &  @mervyndinnen.

I do not want to claim any of these tips as mine as that would be down right mean, but for all my fellow recent graduates and those also looking for a job in this big old impossible-to-get-into market. 

Here are some seriously great tips to get you noticed.

Got your paper and pencil? Time to take notes.

1. Keep your LinkedIn profile always up to date.

So I'm sure many of you are like, "yeah but no-one really looks at linked in…bla bla bla" - trust me, this is the first thing they look at and the first profile that comes up on Google when they do a search on your name. Yes, its great to look all swanky and professional with listings of all your internships and experience, but you must also make it clear that you are actually looking for a job. No point having a million endorsements and recommendations, if on your whole profile it doesn't list that you are actually searching for a job. Plus be sure to put key works in all sections of your profile in order to get a higher ranking on Google searches. 

2. Findability.

On every social place and platform ensure that your contact information is really obvious. Email, phone number, Skype name whatever you want people to contact you on make it super clear and really easy to find. Clean clear links on every profile. 

3. Engagement is key!

Whether it be on Twitter, LinkedIn groups or even on community pages; comments, shares, adding opinions etc…. are all key ways to get you noticed. The more that you contribute through social media, the more you are likely to be found. This way when you want to ask companies for advice, help on CV, meet up for coffee etc…, you'll already be on their radar and they will be more willing to give you the time of day.

4. Stalking & job seeking. It's the same thing.

Within the realms of social media stalking is fully endorsed. 

It is safe to say we all have that one person who we're totally obsessed with on social media, and pretty much know all there is to know about them; from what they had for breakfast this morning to where they went on holiday with their boo last summer. Up to the point where you start convincing yourself that you're actually friends, well, then you might have gone a tad too far. But social media stalking in attempt to find a job is a great way to find more about a company and your potential future employers. If you're looking to apply for a specific role or have already done so, then find out who will be your direct superior - Twitter is so easy to find people just through a Google search. Find them on LinkedIn, follow them on Twitter and interact with them. Finding people who can influence you getting the job is crucial, and when you do find them, join the in conversation but remember to keep it casual, and don't be scared to contact big dogs on twitter asking for advice on your CV - remember they were all in this position back in the day.

5. Proversonal Profile. 

Finding a balance between keeping your social media platforms personal and private is sometimes very difficult. You don't want to always have to hold your tongue if you fancy a rant, and at the same time you don't want to come across like a stuffed old prune so the best bet is to keep your profiles proversonal - a happy medium between professional and personal, so an employer can find a little about you without finding out too much take those wine bottle guzzling pics down now.

6. Post a YouTube video of yourself.

It is so hard to stand out nowadays. There will always be the person with a bit more experience on their CV and with that connection to help them swoop past you in the application process, but one sure fire way to stand out is to post a viral video of yourself about why you should be hired. An employer can get a much better idea about you from a video then anyone can on a double sided piece of paper. Find a neat place in your home, put on your glad rags and tell all why they should hire you! 

Take note from @DawnSiff's #VineResume.

7. Facebook Lockdown.

It is safe to say everyone loves a cheeky tipple from time to time, but on many of our Facebook profiles it may appear that most weekends are spend living it up with a full on bottle service often ending in an absolute drunken state holding, your friends hair up… yeah I don't need to go on. We all do it and there is no denying that. But you're future employer does not want to see it. Lock down your Facebook. Hide your photos, and even if you don't choose to make it private that you're a bit of a party animal, be sure to keep it classy and at least appear like someone who would be a great asset to the team.

8. Look The Part.

Looking the part on social media is all about secret self promotion. Making yourself look good by posting relevant tweets, pictures and articles showing you're on top of everything  in your speciality area. Basically come across as though you're the bee's knees without even trying - "all this work malarkey just comes naturally" *wink* *wink*.

9. #Chats

Be sure to keep an eye out for what's trending. Lots of recruiters and industry professionals take part in hashtag chats on twitter, and its a great time to look out for top people in the field and find out helpful tips to get into the industry of your dreams.

So there you go. Some top tips to help you get the job you've always desired with a little help from everyone's go-to form of media - social. Happy job hunting people. 

Chotto Matte

Say a big hello to Nobu's new baby, staking claim in the middle of Soho, Chotto Matte is Kurt Zdesar newest venture offering a new type of fusion Nikkei - combining Peruvian and Japanese to create a rather extensive and impressive menu. With a kitchen run by Jordan Sclare (ex-head chef at Aqua Kyoto & Nobu) and Peter Gordon (presenter on New Zealand Masterchef) you know you're going to be in for a rather tantalising culinary experience.

Having only been open a few weeks, I wasn't too sure what to expect when walking into the huge open plan bar area, with the "new place to be seen in town" buzz spreading out onto Frith street with the retractable glass wall being pulled back. 

At the bar, rather dashing bar tenders shake up delicious concoctions using Japanese & Peruvian specialities including Pisco, Sochu and Sake - as well as all the old classics and a wine list almost as long as Santa's naughty & nice list. 

After several attempts to find our booking we were lead upstairs to be seated at our table, which after a further several attempts they eventually found. The upstairs dining floor was as busy and as buzzing as the floor bellow and decorated with an enormous 17m graffiti emblazoned wall designed by London based graffiti artist Tom Blackford depicting a sense of modern day Tokyo.

After studying the menu we were torn between the pages and pages of dishes to choose from. Sushi, small bites, skewers, soups, you name it - they got it. We opted for a little bit from all parts of the menu trying not to be my typical little belly big eyed self.

Pollo Nipón

Gambas Japonesas

Pescaditos

Yes the dishes do look rather beautiful and clearly have been well thought out... but at what cost? The pollo nipón, was just chicken yakitori, the gambas japonicas were just tempura prawns and the deep fried fish dish… you catch my drift. Not something to rave home about so far, but plenty more to come…

Corazón

Salmon Sake Katsu

Bacalao Negro Aji Miso

Next on the menu. Sushi seared at your table. Sorry what?! This I had to see. 

We opted for the salmon option topped with a tasty line of….urmm…green paste…. 

One slither of nigiri, is that all? 

Yeah all two bites were pretty tasty, but for £8.50. Are you serious?

Tuna Futomaki

Chuleta de Cordero Ahumada

The food was utterly delicious. The combination of flavours and presentation of each dish did really leave you wanting more and more.

Chotto Matte literally means "please wait a minute", however I am still left wondering what Nikkei cuisine is, and how - if at all - it is different from any other Japanese fusion restaurant. Yes the menu is pretty much all in Spanish - perhaps that is the only Peruvian aspect to the restaurant? 

Kurt Zdesar may have opened Chotto Matte to make Nobu accessible to the masses, offering a cool and hip vibe for the young professionals looking to spend less than £150 (expected pph of dinner at Nobu). But they are yet to find a balance between playing it cool and keeping the service at a respectable level. 

Chotto Matte has oh so much going for it - from the swanky interior designed by Andy Martin (famous for The Ivy) and wonderful chef's -, but at what expense? The service was just down right awful. I don't want to be too harsh, and it is understandable that new restaurants can rush for an opening deadline and still have a couple of "teething problems", but poor staffing should not be one of them. 

If you want to give Chotto Matte a try, find it in the heart of Soho at 11-13 Frith Street.

Caravan

What springs to mind at the word Caravan?

Campsites…Gypsies...The Inbetweener's Movie...?

Nope, all wrong.

The Caravan I'm talking about is this great little restaurant where well travelled food and mighty fine coffee all meet in holy matrimony in an old grain store in Kings Cross.

After tottering around Kings Cross with Geneva for almost 30 minutes before finding the place which is literally next door to Kings Cross, you can almost see it as you come out the exit. But anyhooo we made it no thanks to me and grabbed a stool on a little sharer table next to a super duper loved up couple.  

By the time we got there both Geneva and I were absolutely starving and had to seriously refrain ourselves from ordering every single small sharer plate on the menu. But after a couple of recommendations from the waitress to help put our seriously eager tummy's minds back on track we opted for, well, a bit of everything really.

 

Sitting next to the giant caged kitchens it was pretty hard not to stare. The pair of us ooohed and ahhhed at almost every dish that came through the cubby whole.

Tempting no?

Look at this caramelised onion beauty. Dusted with flakes of parmesan and basil we wolfed down this not so little pizza bread before you could say, well, Pizza.

Geneva wore this gorgeous little pleated number from Topshop (click here) and a lovely double necklace from Urban Outfitters. 

These cauliflower cheese fritters were beyond delicious. 

So coming down to desert, we certainly did not need to see the menu. After looking at every dish that came out the kitchen we were convinced that we had to have 'the square brown thing' - which turned out to be a peanut butter number. Layers or peanut brittle and peanut butter ice-cream served with raspberry coulis pieces. It was almost a Mexican standoff when it came down to the last bite.

You can find Caravan at;

Granary Building
1 Granary Square (off Goods Way)
London
NIC 4AA
Tel: 020 7101 7661

Be sure to book before you go to avoid disappointment!

Flesh & Buns

Smack bang in the middle of London's Covent garden is Ross Shonan's new little Izakaya baby. Following his success with meaty-eatery Bone Daddies - just a few minutes round the corner - Shonan launched his Japanese come burger bar restaurant, Flesh & Buns. 

Hidden just behind the hustle and bustle of Neal Street, Earlham Street boasts a rather dinky entrance naaat leading to a vast cellar of sharer tables, booths and an extremely generous bar.

Super huge grin in anticipation of the ridiculous amount of food to be consumed.

What I'm Wearing: Cos T-shirt, Gap Forever Stretch Legging Jeans & Zara Metallic Brogues.

Hop into the booth and get ordering a few 'hard' but super pretty drinks.

That little yellow guy on the right. Yeah. That's a frozen yuzu margartia. Pure frozen delicious heaven. Just keep 'em coming.

And now for some starters.

Well these lasted all about 5 seconds. As soon as they were snapped, the girls dove in like vultures to get their hands on some of the tempura goodness.

The most devine soft shell crab. One of my favourite foods and cooked to perfection here.

Fried squid dusted in Japanese pepper.

Chicken yakitori skewers.

 Humongous tempura prawns with yuzu ponzo.

Rae and Em thoroughly enjoying their pretty drinks.

A few cocktails down and the anticipation slighlty building for the infamous dish...

BUN TIME!

Steamed & slightly sweet, these Chinese bāozi buns are the Western answer to brioche pattys. Good enough to scoff down on their own, but wait and see all the goodies they give you to put inside.

Jesse and I opted for the Sirloin Steak complete with wafu dress which is melt in the mouth delicious. 

The others went for the Peking duck, pulled off the bone at the table. 

I am a huge burger fan, and getting to build my own just the way I like it is way more fun!

Just look at that bad boy.

Perfection!

Just look at Laura's hoisin drizzling talent.

Baskets of buns later and its desert time!

Naturally we had to go for the smores. Hello! They come with your very own fire pit. Who in their right mind could possibly resist?! 

Marshmallow on a stick and slices of green tea chocolate and crackers to build your very own campfire treat. 

Just a quick 'How-To' for those less experienced smore sandwich makers...

1. Toast to perfection (whilst avoiding setting it alight).

2. Place in-between the two crackers and of course add the slither of green tea chocolate for some extra deliciousness.

3. Squeeze and demolish. 

Don't eat it all in one go, as you'll want to seriously savour every last bite. 

Let's not forget to mention the black sugar donuts.

Bigger than my entire fist and jam-packed full of deliciously creamy black sugar sauce.

Ahhh I'm in desert heaven.

Whether you're looking for a laid back escape in the centre of London, or a cool location to impress your friends, then this place for you. With mouthwateringly exciting food, great atmosphere and delicious cocktails, this little restaurant is quickly becoming one of my favourite eatiers in London. 

I dare you not to love it.

Find Flesh & Buns at 41 Earlham Street and be sure to book online (click here) or call up (020 7632 9500) for a booking to avoid disappointment as they are bursting at the seams at peak times.

Getting super hungry writing this post, click here to check out their tantalising menu. Cannot wait for my return visit next week.