14 Oct 2025
Looking for a new role is work in itself, whatever your sources are. Online options can really shape your search – but you need to be on top of your game.
Vet Times
Job Title
Image: Maass/peopleimages.com/ Adobe Stock
In today’s digital-first world, job hunting is no longer limited to scrolling job boards, sending CVs, or waiting for recruiters to respond.
Social media has become one of the most powerful tools in the modern job search – even though some think it the devil’s own work.
From LinkedIn and Facebook to Instagram, TikTok and even Reddit, your online presence can open doors – or close them – depending on how you use it.
According to surveys, more than 91% of employers screen candidates via social media, and many recruiters actively hunt down talent on these platforms. That means your next opportunity might not be posted on a traditional job site at all — it could be sitting in your LinkedIn inbox, your Instagram DMs or a comment thread on Reddit.
To give yourself the best chance of landing the role you want, it’s essential to understand how to harness each platform strategically.
If you’re serious about finding a job through social media, LinkedIn should be your starting point. With more than 900 million users worldwide, it is a seriously good way to network for professional connections, career development and recruitment.
As to why LinkedIn is said to matter, it’s reckoned that more than 65 million people search for jobs on the platform every week, seven people are hired every minute through LinkedIn, and three out of four career changers use LinkedIn during their job search. Of course, it’s fair to say that its impact will depend on the role being sought.
That said, you should think of LinkedIn as your digital CV and networking event rolled into one and the first step to using it successfully is to optimise your profile. Make sure your headline clearly reflects your professional identity, your summary communicates your career goals and your experience section highlights achievements rather than just responsibilities. Skills endorsements and recommendations from colleagues can also boost credibility.
When searching for jobs, make use of filters such as industry, location and seniority level. Creating customised job alerts ensures you never miss opportunities that fit your goals. If you want to job hunt quietly, the “open to work” feature allows recruiters to know you’re available without alerting your current employer.
But beyond applications, LinkedIn thrives on engagement. Comment thoughtfully on industry discussions, share insights and connect with people in your target field. Following firms you admire not only keeps you updated on vacancies, but also helps you understand their culture. Doing all of this could help to establish your credibility.
Although often associated with personal updates, Facebook is still a valuable resource for job seekers and 68% of recruiters use it to advertise jobs. Its strength lies in community-based opportunities that may never appear on traditional job boards.
Facebook groups are particularly effective. Search for groups specific to vets or location as recruiters often post directly in these groups when looking for quick hires. Simply joining is not enough, however. Active participation – commenting on posts, sharing your background, and responding to employer enquiries – can set you apart from passive members.
Company pages are another useful resource. Many businesses post vacancies on their official Facebook pages before sharing them elsewhere. For small businesses and local employers, Facebook remains a go-to recruitment tool, even though the built-in jobs tab has become less prominent. By combining group participation, page follows, and targeted searches, Facebook can act as a supplement to more formal job-hunting methods, particularly for community-driven or entry-level roles.
For creative professionals, Instagram is more than just a photo-sharing platform – it’s a digital portfolio. Photographers, designers, stylists, writers and content creators increasingly use Instagram to showcase their work and attract recruiters or clients.
But that’s not to say that it won’t help those whose day job isn’t all about full-on creativity. If your work is worthy of an image, Instagram can help.
Start by curating your profile to reflect your professional identity. Your bio should include a short tagline that communicates your skills, a link to your full portfolio or LinkedIn profile, and an email address for enquiries. Then, post high-quality examples of your work with captions explaining the context or the problem you solved. Use Instagram’s “highlights” feature to categorise your content into themes such behind-the-scenes work or projects.
Engagement is just as important as presentation. Use relevant hashtags to make your work discoverable, tag locations if your work permits it and respond promptly to comments and direct messages. Following employers and industry influencers keeps you connected to the latest opportunities, as many recruiters now scout talent directly from Instagram.
For those who want to expand further, collaborations with local businesses or partnerships through influencer platforms can turn Instagram into both a portfolio and a source of income.
TikTok may be known for entertainment and trends, but it has quickly evolved into a serious career tool, especially for younger workers. Communities like #CareerTok and #JobTok have grown in popularity, offering advice on CVs, interview preparation and direct job postings.
What sets TikTok apart is its algorithm. Even accounts with few followers can reach a large audience if their content resonates. This creates unique opportunities for job seekers to showcase their personality, skills and creativity.
For example, you could share a “day-in-the-life” video of your current role, post a timelapse of the care you’re giving an animal, and create storytelling clips about your career journey.
And some job seekers have landed roles simply by introducing themselves in a video and tagging companies of interest. Employers are also embracing TikTok, using it to share behind-the-scenes content about workplace culture and post openings in a more engaging way.
Another emerging pathway is becoming a user-generated content creator, producing authentic content that brands use in their own marketing. This type of work often includes tutorials, product reviews, or testimonials filmed in a casual, relatable style — ideal for those with strong communication skills.
While Reddit is not a traditional job platform, it has thousands of active communities (subreddits) that offer unfiltered advice and peer-to-peer support.
For general career guidance, subreddits such as r/careersguidance, r/careerchange, r/jobs, and r/LinkedIn provide discussions ranging from CV critiques to interview experiences.
The anonymity of Reddit allows for open and honest conversations about company culture, job-hunting challenges, and career transitions. While this can be a refreshing alternative to polished LinkedIn posts, it’s important to approach Reddit with caution. Since the platform is user-driven, it’s essential to verify job listings and cross-check advice before acting on it.
Before you begin applying for roles, take the time to audit your online presence. Recruiters will almost certainly Google your name, and, as noted earlier, employers screen candidates through social media.
As a result, you need to remove unprofessional content. This means deleting or restricting access to posts, photos or comments that could harm your credibility.
Next, polish your bio by ensuring that it reflects your career goals and professional personality.
You also need to align information so that job titles, dates and education match your CV across platforms. Inconsistencies, even accidental ones, can raise red flags.
Also, showcase expertise. Where possible, share content or updates that demonstrate your skills, knowledge, and enthusiasm for your field.
Remember that your online presence should tell a consistent, professional story. Think of it as your personal brand – something recruiters can quickly scan to understand who you are and what you bring to the table.
Social media has blurred the lines between personal and professional life, creating both risks and opportunities for job seekers.
When used strategically, it becomes more than just a networking tool – it’s a stage to demonstrate your expertise, showcase your work and connect directly with the decision-makers out there.
