Columnists

Creative Connecting: Recruiting and Job Hunting on Social Media

ColumnistsFeb 16, 2021

Creative Connecting: Recruiting and Job Hunting on Social Media

Need to find top talent, or looking for a new opportunity for yourself? Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams outline best practices for doing so on social media.

duvall-jcw-7.jpg
Duvall O’Steen, left, and Jen Cullen Williams are independent communications strategists and senior consultants for the Luxury Brand Group. They can be reached at DuvallOsteenNYC@gmail.com or Jen@JenCullenWilliams.com.
In a digital world where more and more people are working from home, both recruiting and job searching has vastly expanded.

Companies can now hire top talent from anywhere in the country, potentially without relocation costs, while talented professionals have access to a broader range of career opportunities.

The global connections made possible by social media are both a blessing and a bane, on both sides of the equation.

Professionals looking to accelerate their careers can discover a wealth of opportunities that can be daunting and overwhelming if not streamlined and specific.

Companies looking to recruit qualified talent can widen their nets but may encounter roadblocks without specificity and strategic communications.

To capitalize on the advantages of this new digital world and mitigate the conundrums, we’ve talked to leading recruiters and communications experts about how jewelry professionals and businesses can best use social media to attract top talent and/or great opportunities.

For Job Seekers
All the professionals we talked to agree that LinkedIn is, obviously, the best social media tool for professionals to use for connecting with great job opportunities or talent scouts and recruiters.

Specificity of language in your LinkedIn profile is key.

John-Stuart Fauquet, vice president of Bonnell-Ryan Executive Search, advises making your LinkedIn profile as detailed as your resume.

“Take your resume and copy it word for word into your LinkedIn page. That allows recruiters and HR executives to find you in specific keyword searches when they are looking for particular skills.”

Ginny Miller, director-retail practice at iRiS Recruiting Solutions, echoed the need for keywords. 

“Use keywords on your resume and in your profile on sites like LinkedIn or Indeed, so that your resume/profile will pop higher on a search. Also, the more you use each keyword on your profile, the higher up your resume will appear. Using multiple titles for what you do can also help; for example, buyer, merchant, purchasing.”

Simply having a presence on LinkedIn, however, is not enough. Networking is still key. 

Fauquet said, “The biggest piece of advice is networking! The best way to get a job is to put yourself out there and meet with people who are connected in your industry and find a time to connect with them. 

“This extends to social media. Make a list of people you know who hold high-ranking positions at companies that interest you. Reach out and connect with them via social media. Once you put 
yourself out there and let people know you’re looking for a job, you’ll be amazed at the opportunities that open up.” 


“While social media can be lighthearted, it is also important to portray yourself as a respectable professional. Use your social media profile to put your best foot forward.” — Peter Harts, GIA
 
According to Miller, LinkedIn allows you to join up to 50 groups and subgroups.

She advised joining groups with the largest number of members, e.g., Buyers, Retail Industry Professionals, Luxury Fashion & Lifestyle Executives, Nonprofit Network, Marketing Communication and LuxuryRecruit.

Once in, you can communicate with any member inside these groups and post or blog to the group to get yourself noticed.

GIA’s Manager of Career Services Peter Harts warns that all social media outlets can affect a job search.

“While social media can be lighthearted, it is also important to portray yourself as a respectable professional. If your profile is public, anyone has access to your photos and information, so it’s important to use your social media profile to put your best foot forward.”

He also echoed the need for digital networking.

“It is worth investing time in networking, as its potential effects are significant and long lasting. Find companies and professional groups that interest you and ask to follow or join their communities,” he said.

“By participating in the right conversations, being active in LinkedIn groups and using hashtags, you will gain more visibility to other users. You should also share relevant content that shows off your professional and educational experience for the role you want.”

Kristy Hurt, founder of Kristy Hurt Consulting, believes so strongly in the power of networking, she started her own networking community, the co-lab.

“For professionals in the fashion, jewelry, beauty and luxury industry, there is no better place to network than in the co-lab, a professional networking community I founded in 2020 to connect the 20+ years of professional colleagues I have engaged with over my career.

“We have internal job listings and lots of opportunities to network with warm connections. Find us at jointhecolab.com or on social media @jointhecolab on all the channels.”

Career-driven websites like Career Contessa and Ladies Get Paid can provide valuable advice for professional development, salary negotiations and more. Follow these resources on social media to learn more about what is happening in the market.

For Employers 
For companies looking to attract top talent, social media is an effective tool. 

According to Hurt, all social media channels can be helpful. 

“It’s so important to meet your customers where they are, and that includes social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and yes, even TikTok. Post news articles, topics and trends, and then jobs.

“It’s a great way to seek warm leads and referrals. If you build trust with your stakeholders, they will send you names. People love to be useful and by making it easy for them to help you, they will do it.”


“If you put your values front and center on your social media pages, people will see that when they’re looking for a job.” — John-Stuart Fauquet, Bonnell-Ryan Executive Search
 
Fauquet suggests keeping job postings up-to-date and accurate to avoid frustrating or deterring high-level talent.

“Use all the social channels you have to direct applicants to one centralized place. Also, social media can help convey the culture of your organization,” he said.

“If you put your values front and center on your social media pages, people will see that when they’re looking for a job.”

Miller concurred that having readily available information about the company helps: “You can post blogs that can be found easily on a Google search engine that are about the company and the culture and also feature current openings.”

She also recommends getting creative by creating accounts for job postings on platforms that cater to the specific job you are looking to fill. For example, if you are trying to attract a creative talent, check out Creatively

Also, she said: “Join groups and associations like the Women’s Jewelry Association that are specific to your industry and that would help attract membership talent for the job you are looking to fill. 

University alumni groups are another option to consider, like FIT as an example. They might have a roster that is particularly appealing for jewelry job candidates.”

We also asked the pros if there are any best times or specific ways to post job opportunities. Here’s what they said.

Kristy Hurt:
“For Instagram, I find that it’s better to post on Stories than in the feed and be sure to allow followers to direct message (DM) or respond to the stories. More followers will engage on a story and respond by sending a DM to ask for more information. The feed is too public, so they may not want to comment, or it may be ‘too much work’ to send a DM from scratch.”

Peter Harts:
“Many employers in the gem and jewelry industry have found participating in the GIA Jewelry Career Fair and working with GIA career services to be a great way to establish a pipeline of candidates, from entry-level to skilled professionals.”

Ginny Miller:
“Post [jobs] early in the morning during the week, so you are at the top of the candidate’s priority list for the day. Also, posting on a Saturday or Sunday morning gets good results. The other option is to put it on a rotation, so that it is posted every few days at a different time.”

For other places to post job listings, we discovered these tips.

According to Harts, “the GIA Gem and Jewelry Career Center is the premier online job board/portal exclusively for the jewelry industry. It is free for job seekers and employers, offering powerful features to speed up the search for qualified candidates and opportunities, in one easy to navigate location.”

“Indeed is also a good place to post; however, it can be costly,” said Miller.

“Ladders will pick up your posting as long as the salary is over $100K and is posted on the ad. Monster, and Career Builder are good places to post for mid-level to lower-level jobs; however, I don’t recommend them to attract higher-level top talent or passive candidates.”

Finally, for companies looking to partner with a recruiting agency, Hurt suggests finding a partner who will really get to know your company culture.

“It’s important to find a recruiting agency partner who knows your business, understands what you are looking for, and is on the same page as the client when it comes to compensation and level of talent.”

There also are resources for companies searching for specific roles outside of the jewelry industry that can be great for sourcing new experienced talent such as The Mom Project, Exec Thread or Glassdoor, and freelance talent marketplaces like Upwork and FreeUp


Jen Cullen Williamsis an independent communications strategist and senior consultant for the Luxury Brand Group.
Duvall O'Steenis an independent communications strategist and senior consultant for the Luxury Brand Group.

The Latest

Stock image of shipping containers
Policies & IssuesJul 28, 2025
U.S.-EU Come to Agreement on Tariffs

Announced Sunday, the deal will set the tax on goods imported into the United States from the European Union at 15 percent.

Nanis Ipanema Collection Campaign
CollectionsJul 28, 2025
Nanis Brings a New Palette to ‘Ipanema’

A new edition of the Italian brand’s “Ipanema” collection has debuted with gemstones that evoke Brazil’s breathtaking views.

Kevin O’ Leary and George Mayer of The 1916 Company
MajorsJul 28, 2025
The 1916 Company Partners with ‘Shark Tank’ Star’s Watch Insurance Platform

The retailer will refer its customers to WonderCare, founded by venture capitalist and watch collector Kevin O’Leary.

rio-article photo-diamond.jpg
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine Jewelry

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

Sissy’s new Little Rock store
IndependentsJul 28, 2025
Sissy’s Log Cabin to Open Flagship in Arkansas

The jeweler’s largest store yet is set to open in Little Rock next fall.

Weekly QuizJul 25, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Jemma Wynne Forme Toggle Necklace
CollectionsJul 25, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jemma Wynne’s ‘Forme’ Necklace

Anne Hathaway was seen wearing the toggle necklace three times while filming scenes for “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”

September Hong Kong jewelry show
Events & AwardsJul 25, 2025
Pre-Registration Open for September Hong Kong Show

Jewellery & Gem World Hong Kong is scheduled for Sept. 15 to 21, and buyer pre-registration will be available until Sept. 7.

an instructor and a student in a bench jewelry classroom
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench Jewelers

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

Bulgari Celestial Mosaic spinel necklace
FinancialsJul 25, 2025
LVMH Sales Slip in H1 Amid ‘Prevailing Uncertainties’

Renovations at Tiffany & Co. stores ate into profits in the company’s watch and jewelry division.

Mark and Candy Udell
Events & AwardsJul 24, 2025
2 Retailers to Receive 2026 Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement

Mark and Candy Udell of London Jewelers will receive the honor at the 24th annual Gem Awards next March.

De Beers marine mining vessel the SS Nujoma
SourcingJul 24, 2025
De Beers Sees Diamond Production Sink 36% in Q2

While struggles continue at the mining and trading end of the pipeline, consumer demand for diamond jewelry is holding steady.

Francesca Villa Fantasia Collection The Crab Pendant, The Mermaid Pendant, Keep Dancing Seahorse Pendant, Keep Dancing Ladybug Pendant, Secret Dreams Pendant, The Puffer Fish Takes Flight Pendant
CollectionsJul 24, 2025
Francesca Villa Adds Dimension to Her Intaglio Characters

The “Fantasia” jewelry collection turns the intaglio animals from her “Close Encounters” collection into 3D characters.

Breitling’s special Eagles Super Bowl watch on gold bracelet
WatchesJul 24, 2025
Breitling Drops Super Bowl Watch Honoring the Philadelphia Eagles

The special Classic Avi Chronograph 42 with an Eagles-green dial is limited to 59 pieces, a nod to the Super Bowl Philadelphia just won.

Stock image of crime scene tape
CrimeJul 23, 2025
JSA Warns of Violent String of Smash-and-Grabs in California

JSA has received reports of mobs swarming jewelry stores, driving cars into the storefront or smashing through the windows.

Silvia Furmanovich Kasmir Collection Carnelian Bracelet and Sketch
CollectionsJul 23, 2025
Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Kashmir’ Collection Is a Tribute to Northern India

The “Kashmir” collection features centuries-old craft techniques made in collaboration with the region’s master papier-mâché artisans.

Bench jeweler holding a bracelet and a tool
IndependentsJul 23, 2025
Montreal’s Ecksand Eyes Move to SoHo

Creative Director Erica Bianchini shared why the jeweler is looking to expand into the U.S. and how it’s putting Canadian craftsmanship on the map.

LAFD Fire Station 44 and Fire Station 16
IndependentsJul 23, 2025
IJO Raises Nearly $37K for LA Fire Relief

Two Los Angeles Fire Department stations plan to use the donations to upgrade their equipment and tools.

A Vanitas by Hannah Martin and Guy Berryman Sothebys
CollectionsJul 22, 2025
Jewelry With a Rock ‘n’ Roll Aesthetic Heads to Sotheby’s London

Next week, the auction house will kick off a selling exhibition of jewelry by British artist Hannah Martin and Coldplay’s Guy Berryman.

Cover of the book “Flawless: Inside the Largest Diamond Heist in History”
SourcingJul 22, 2025
Antwerp Diamond Heist Documentary Coming to Netflix

“Stolen: Heist of the Century” is based on “Flawless,” the book about the middle-of-the-night theft, and will debut on Netflix in August.

NY Now
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2025
NY Now’s Summer Market Returns in August

The wholesale trade show’s Luxury Lifestyle section will showcase established and emerging jewelry designers.

Jeweler setting a diamond into a ring
MajorsJul 21, 2025
Rio Grande Expands Personalization Offerings

As demand for custom jewelry grows, the company is expanding its services to support retailers.

National Associate of Jewelry Appraisers Logo
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2025
NAJA’s 2025 ‘Ace It’ Conference To Go Virtual

The mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers is slated for Aug. 9 to 10 on Zoom.

Jacquie Aiche graduated turquoise beaded necklace
TrendsJul 21, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Graduated With Honors

Graduated stones make for elevated tennis-style pieces and dramatic statement necklaces.

24th Gem Awards Show Logo
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2025
Gem Awards Now Accepting Nominations for 2026

Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.

Lewis Heyman
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Lewis Heyman on Sourcing Gemstones, Post-Retirement Plans

He retired last month after 28 years traveling the world to source the very best gemstones for his family’s jewelry business, Oscar Heyman.

CCWW Designs Multiple Shell Charm Necklace
TrendsJul 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: CCWW Designs’ Shell Charm Necklace

The charm necklace features six nautical charms of shells and coral that founder Christina Puchi collected on Florida’s beaches.

The Plumb Club board members
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Plumb Club Elects New Board Members

The organization elected its youngest vice president as it looks to draw in fresh talent.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy