Social networks are invaluable for connecting with potential employers and making contacts that can help you get a job. But social networks aren’t only about connecting; they’re about producing as well. Here are some examples of how to utilize social media to produce content to stand out as a job applicant so that your application goes straight to the top of the pile.

Facebook

Facebook can be a tough place to actively search for jobs because most people are trying to keep their profiles private, but it is becoming more of a player in the job search arena. Employers may not particularly care if you post great content to Facebook, but they do want to know if you post offensive or controversial content. Therefore, be mindful of what you post.

If you have a public blog or website, create a Facebook Page to coincide with it and encourage those who enjoy your blog to like it. If your personal profile is private, but your page is public, this will come up in search results and show you in a favorable light on Facebook.

Another great way to use Facebook is to like pages or join groups and participate. Like the Facebook pages of the places you want to work and comment on their posts, showing interest. Join groups related to your alma mater, industry or profession and join in or start conversations in them. I’ve applied to and have had interviews at companies I’ve first learned about through a Facebook group.

Twitter

Besides making connections on Twitter and participating in conversations and chats around your particular field, Twitter should be used to directly target specific companies you’d like to work for. Begin retweeting or responding to their content, and ask questions. While you may not be able to find an email address to contact hiring managers, it’s worth asking through Twitter if there’s someone you may contact directly to follow up. This shows a personal connection to the brand; companies want to feel like you want to work for them, too.

YouTube

YouTube provides a great way to showcase your personality before the interview by recording yourself in a video. While this can be a tedious process if you’re trying to get it done in one shot (trust me, I’ve spent HOURS doing this trying to say ‘um’ less) it really stands out.

You can either create a private video where people with the specific link can see your video for a particular application or you can create a generic public video to use to showcase your personality and general abilities like I had done above.

Pinterest

Think Pinterest is only for the creative types to showcase their photography, art or design work? Think again. While Pinterest can be great for those in the creative field to highlight their work, it is also great for job searchers. Utilize Pinterest to apply for a specific position like Jeanne by creating specific relevant images and linking them to a different site so that others could learn more about her. Or, create a living resume like Rachael where you can continually add in links to examples of your work on the web. That blog post you wrote for your current job? Pin it. The presentation you gave at your alma mater? Add it in! This can serve as a more dynamic resume to showcase what you have to offer in a visual way.

SlideShare

SlideShare allows you to easily share PowerPoint presentations through a specific URL. During my job search, I created a SlideShare presentation about why I was a good fit for an entry-level marketing position by focusing on personal characteristics instead of experience. Slides included images of tweets others had said about my work and organizations I was involved with at school.

Later on I found out that my current boss had seen this presentation on Twitter — so this actually did help me land my job!

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What other great examples have you seen of people using social media to stand out as a job applicant?

Photo courtesy of Mashable Business.