Pinterest for Job Seekers

​Pinterest is unique among other social media websites. Most social sites focus on “networks” that directly connect people. However, Pinterest focuses on ideas and content sharing. You can browse through content others have shared and “pin” it to your “boards.” Content that you may find includes articles, images, infographics, charts, and videos. It’s a lot like having a virtual bulletin board.

Many employers use Pinterest to share content they have created. Use the site as a storage space for career-related items to help with your job search. To make the best of it, follow the tips below.

Getting Started

First, create a profile at www.pinterest.com. As with other social media sites, be sure to use the same profile picture as you do on other sites. This will help create your brand.

Pinterest lets you fill out an “About You” section with personal info. Like Twitter, it has a character limit; you only have 160 characters to introduce yourself. Treat this section like an “elevator speech,” be sure to use career keywords. Speaking of Twitter, you can also connect your Pinterest and Twitter accounts. If you use Twitter for your job search, you’ll definitely want to do this!

As mentioned earlier, Pinterest allows you to create different “boards” where you can pin things. You can either pin your own original content or “Re-Pin” content from other boards. This lets you organize the content you find, and makes it easier for people who look at your boards. Start by creating a “Career” board and a “Personal” board.

Sharing Updates

Start out by pinning your resume and/or your video resume. Create a board that represents the different parts of your resume. Share your resume pins on other social media sites. Also, pin any other original content you create; for example, links to blog posts you wrote.

Next, create boards that show your skills and interests. For example, if your skills are in computer programming or IT, try making a “Technology” board. This shows employers that you’re passionate about what you do. It can even be a conversation starter in an interview.

Finally, be sure to follow industry experts, career sites, and companies that interest you. Pin and share their content, and comment on their pins.

Search

When you pin items on your board, it’s important to make sure they’re searchable. You can do this by tagging your pins with related keywords. Companies will also tag their pins, so try to search tags relating to your job search. Some examples include “job search,” “jobs,” or “careers.”

Pinterest also has countless built-in “topics.” In the website’s own words, these are “feeds about a particular category.”1 Browsing topics can be a quick way of finding what you’re looking for.

Also, search companies to find out more about their culture and work environment. Search by a career path keyword to find more about potential careers.

Use Pinterest to stay up-to-date with research and information in your industry. Companies will post images that link to articles on their websites. You can find links on how-to and informational articles, among other ideas.

Next steps

To read more about job searching with social media, check out our Social Media Guide.