Whether you're a new grad just entering the workforce, or a seasoned tech professional looking for a change, social media can prove a powerful tool for increasing your visibility, connecting with recruiters and hiring managers, and even uncovering unadvertised job opportunities.

In fact, 57 percent of job seekers are already using social media as part of their job search.

However, because social media is saturated with information, attracting the attention of recruiters and hiring managers is becoming increasingly difficult. Many job seekers eventually discover that some strategies work better than others.

Here are six ways to boost your job search using social media… and some key mistakes to avoid.

Practice Reciprocity

With over 930 million global users, LinkedIn is by far the best professional networking site for building your brand and connecting with recruiters.

But unless a hiring manager or recruiter is actually looking for someone with your background, sending your resume and asking to schedule a call is not the best way to introduce yourself. “Sending an unsolicited resume doesn’t really help the person you’re reaching out to,” explained Jennifer McClure, CEO of Unbridled Talent and DisruptHR. It actually creates more work for them, because they need to take the time to read, evaluate, and decline your resume.

The law of reciprocity is the foundation for forging new connections and professional relationships on social media.

Referring people to recruiters for jobs they have open and sharing openings with members of your network is the best way to get recruiters to notice you. Plus, they will be more inclined to add your resume to their pipeline if you help them out first.

Speaking of reciprocity, whenever someone mentions you or shares your content on social media, you should make an effort to respond. Consider using a free social listening tool to track the mentions you receive as well as your progress in adding followers and connections.

Become the Go-To Person in Your Field

Your goal is to be viewed as an authoritative source on a particular topic, advised Boyd Clewis, CEO of Genesis Security and Compliance and co-founder of the Six-Figure Tech Career Coach.

Obviously your first step is optimizing your profile and letting others know that you’re “open to work,” but don’t wait for people to find you—reach out.

Using inbound and outbound marketing techniques on social media is much more effective. Write articles, or share blog posts and copies of presentations to show off your technical knowledge as well as your writing skills. If you’re a Java developer, for instance, share an article about the most popular Java libraries, then describe your personal favorite and explain why. Use hashtags to make your posts more searchable and gain influential followers.

Make it easier for recruiters and managers to discover your interests and qualifications by sharing projects from GitHub and Slack channel messages as updates on LinkedIn. Also, add the URL for your X handle (formerly Twitter), GitHub username and LinkedIn profile to your contact information on your resume.

If you don’t have time to write, comment about an event or an emerging technology you’re interested in. Join conversations and connect with groups that are related to your career interests.

Once you get into the habit of discussing industry news with peers and colleagues, they may begin to view you as an expert and feel comfortable referring you for jobs or unadvertised openings.

Connect and Follow

Find the people you want to connect with and engage with them.

For instance, increase your visibility by following the hiring managers at your target companies and resharing or commenting on their articles, posts and accomplishments. See what they’re interested in before you apply and use the information to customize your resume and cover letter. Be sure to follow the main accounts of each company you're interested in as well.

Check out and follow technical experts who align with your skills and interests on LinkedIn and X, and stay updated on their latest insights in your LinkedIn feed. You’ll get the latest posts and updates from people you follow without being connected—and they may see your posts and articles, too.

Find Open Positions

When it comes to finding job postings on social media, one of the best sites to track is X/Twitter. Many large companies “tweet” when they post new openings, and you can easily follow specific companies you are interested in.

Also, be sure to search on general job hunting hashtags as well as industry, technology and role hashtags to find advertised and unadvertised jobs in specialties like DevOps or app development etc.

Be Consistent

Consistency is the critical driver for success on social media. You should strive to post three to five times per week so that you're always staying in front of your followers.

“People expect a lot for a little effort, but social media doesn’t work that way,” Clewis said. You have to stick with it. Maintaining some sort of social presence, even when you’re not actively looking for a new job, can pay dividends down the road.

Balance the Professional and Personal

Don’t be afraid to share some personal anecdotes, but always tie them back to your professional experience or something you learned that would benefit others, McClure says. For instance, post about your key takeaways from a podcast you listened to, or offer advice to job seekers based on your experience in your last interview.

Bridging the gap between your professional and personal pursuits on social media is a highly effective way to attract followers and stand out in an increasingly crowded online marketplace.