Reddit is an overlooked resource when it comes to job hunting. If building work connections on LinkedIn and Facebook isn't your cup of tea, you can turn to Reddit to showcase your skills instead. You can also stay in the loop about work opportunities in your field without relying on any professional associations.
There are hundreds of job-related subreddits with thousands of subscribers. However, you can make this immense resource work for you if you learn how to navigate it without getting overwhelmed. Here are a few tips to help you zero in on the best job posts and improve your employment prospects.
1. Polish Your Resume to Get Noticed
The first step to seeking a job is to have a polished resume at your disposal. Subreddits like Resumes, Career Advice, Career Guidance, etc., should be your first stop. Post a copy of your resume to get constructive feedback and fine-tune your CV before you start applying to new positions.
Always exclude private data and personal details from your resume before posting it publicly. Create an alternative account to post your resume for feedback, so someone cannot trace specific information in your resume back to your regular account. Doxxing your personal information, although not widespread, is still an issue of concern.
2. Search Lesser Known Subreddits With Synonyms
Use all the synonyms and keyword combinations you can think of to subscribe to as many relevant subreddits as possible. Popular words and phrases to search for include careers, jobs, hiring, remote work, talent, employment, labor, freelancer, recruitment, internship, and so on. Also, try variations of the same word like work, working, workers to find more relevant forums.
For local and career-specific job listings, use "Career+Job" and "Location+Job" keywords. E.g., the "Location+Job" search will bring up otherwise ignored subs like California Jobs, Dubai Jobs, etc. Along similar lines, "Career+Job" will also bring up subreddits dedicated to job posts for a particular field of work. E.g., Financial Careers, Geology Careers, etc.
Don't forget to read subreddit descriptions and rules to figure out whether they allow job posts or only discussions related to work.
3. Use the "Find a Reddit" Directory Sub
If you can't find many relevant subreddits that cater to your field, Find a Reddit is an excellent place to redirect your search. You can either create a post mentioning your requirements and await replies or use the directory listings post to explore the wiki for your niche.
Be sure to mark your post as Answered once you've found what you were looking for. Reddiquette, or proper Reddit behavior, is one of the many cool things about Reddit. It's a good way to appreciate the replies you get and is in line with the usage of proper tags for query posts once they're resolved.
4. Set Up Desktop or Email Alerts
The sooner you respond to a job post, the higher your chances of grabbing the recruiter's eye. The first few responses on Reddit tend to get a definite acknowledgment unless the job descriptions include an application deadline.
You can make it a habit to scroll through Reddit at least once a day or create desktop alerts for new posts by changing your settings via the Reddit preferences page. You can also choose to receive a daily digest of recent posts instead by changing your Reddit email notification settings.
Note that a few settings are only available in the old version, while some are available only in the new version. You can, however, make the best of both versions by switching between the two to set your preferences. These settings are saved for your account regardless of the version in use.
5. Read Subreddit Wikis for Extra Resources
When you join a new subreddit, you'll get a welcome message in your inbox. It focuses on community rules and usually links to the subreddit's wiki page. Do not ignore this page. Subreddit wikis are treasure troves of helpful information about the subreddit's topic, the best posts from the past with the most valuable insights, and more.
These curated posts on the wikis contain a lot of information written by experts in the field. You'll end up discovering facets of your domain you weren't even aware of, success stories that have lessons you can incorporate in your career or job search, case studies, and detailed guides on many "how-to" topics.
6. Show Your Expertise in Reddit Threads
Go beyond the usual job application mode by engaging in career-related threads. Troubleshoot minor or major problems for fellow Redditors, dispense timely advice to showcase your knowledge in your field of work, or ask for advice. For example, if you're a Data Analyst, you can showcase your skills on a related subreddit like Data is Beautiful and get noticed by industry stalwarts known to participate in the forum.
You never know when a discerning recruiter or another expert is scrolling through these threads to pick out talented individuals. Some recruiters also go through Reddit posting history to gauge a candidate's ability.
Reddit is also an excellent support community for the talented who are trying to make a mark in their field. Here's a look at a Redditor's programming journey finding the right kind of support and audience to build a YouTube channel showcasing his DevOps programming knowledge. This is just one example of how you can leverage the power of Reddit communities to realize your goals, find the right audience, and seek patronage.
7. Advertise Yourself Creatively With "For Hire" Posts
Create a unique post highlighting your professional achievements, experience, and expertise. Innovative For Hire posts can bring you the right kind of attention to end your job search. Read through a few top-voted "For Hire" posts on relevant forums to seek ideas and inspiration.
Besides looking for jobs, you can seek comic book collaborators for projects you're working on, invite constructive criticism for improving your art, and seek patrons for your online endeavors.
Make the Most of Reddit Job Boards
Following these simple tips will help you make the most of Reddit job boards, find better work opportunities, interact with other talents and recruiters in your field, learn from the discussion threads, and advertise your skillset to the right people.