Newer, more visual social media channels, such as Pinterest and Vine, are being used by a growing minority of motor trade candidates to advertise their skills.

Recruitment agency Jobco-op says that these outlets are being used by people who want to stand out on selection lists by highlighting their creativity.

Joint managing director Katie Trinder said: “We have reached a point where having a professional looking LinkedIn profile and an active but inoffensive presence on Twitter and Facebook are almost givens within the recruitment industry.

“As a result, we are seeing greater efforts on the part of those who want to make themselves more conspicuous when compared to other candidates and newer, more visual social media channels such as Pinterest and Vine are good mediums to use for this.”

An example of the way in which they might be used is to post pictures to a 'Ford' or 'Ford dealer' pinboard on Pinterest, showing a picture of a Ford dealership where you have worked alongside a line or two about your work experience and the fact that you are looking for a new job.

Trinder said: “It is an indirect approach to finding a new job role, but that is very much part of its appeal. In the eyes of the recruiter, you are immediately separating yourself from the herd and showing yourself to be a creative, tech-savvy person.

“Of course, undertaking this kind of social media activity needs to be done with the same kind of professionalism that you would automatically use when filling in your LinkedIn profile. While a medium such as Vine will obviously give your approach a whole different tone thanks to its format, you need to remember that you are presenting yourself as a serious, viable candidate.

“Also, it is essential that using more visual social media happens in addition to the normal job-seeking activity that you would normally undertake. You still need a high quality written CV and a solid presence on the more established social media channels.”
 

> https://uk.pinterest.com/

> https://vine.co/