Social Media & Your Job Search
Just as you look for people on Social Media upon meeting them (or even just hearing
a new name), employers WILL do the same. Your online presence will be your first impression
to a recruiter and can affect who they choose for an interview. Instead of trying
to hide your profile from recruiters, make it easy for them to find you and when they
do be sure you’ve created an appropriate professional brand.
LinkedIn – the resume that never sleeps!
New to LinkedIn? Check out this video -> LinkedIn for Students
- Within the first few seconds of viewing your profile an employer looks at 3 key areas:
- Profile Photo – maintain a professional picture
- Headline –identify what you do & who you are
- Profile Summary – A good profile summary is short, concise, unique, and a narrative
- Updating your network status keeps your name at the top of people’s minds. Update
your status at least once a week, not more than three times a day with information
related to your field; appropriate status updates can demonstrate your personality
and show a recruiter that you’re motivated and accomplished – remember that this isn’t
Facebook, however, statuses should be professional in nature and related to your field.
Instagram
- Instagram is a photo/video sharing platform and is a great place to enhance your professional
brand and showcase your creative side. - Use your Instagram page as another professional platform, one that is less formal,
and more personal. Employers love to have a glimpse into your life. - DO share: Your favorite sport, entertaining friends, a new dish you are attempting
for the first time. - DON’T share: Alcoholic beverages, controversial opinions and pretty much anything
else you wouldn’t want your mom (or prospective boss) to see.
- Recruiters commonly use Twitter for announcing job openings.
- It’s important to recognize that active Twitter accounts are ranked in Google almost
right away – this means that when an employer “Googles” you, your Twitter account
will be one of the first things to come up. As a job seeker it is important that all
of your social media accounts create a professional brand.
- Facebook can be helpful for you as an applicant to learn about the culture of the
company. - It can be beneficial for job seekers to make an active effort to delete or untag any
questionable content on Facebook. Furthermore, ensure any personal content remains
private by adjusting your privacy settings. Appropriate items to make public include
your employment information, location, and professional skills/interests.
Blogs and Personal Websites
- Blogs & Personal Websites are a great place to display your professional skills through
links, photos & work samples – giving a much more dynamic sense of what you have to
offer a company. - Things to include on your personal website – your elevator pitch, examples of your
work, links to your other presences online, your future vision, & a professional blog.
PRO TIP: Create a free Google Alert for your name so you’ll be notified via email whenever
anything is posted about you (or someone with your name) online.
