Is your social media presence appropriate for Grandma’s eyes? If it’s not, chances are it’s not appropriate for a potential employer either. In today’s tech-savvy culture, it can mean the difference between receiving a welcome call from a recruiter and the dreaded auto-decline email. In fact, according to JobVite, 73 percent of recruiters have hired a candidate through social media and 93 percent of hiring managers will review a candidate’s social profile before making a decision. Having your social media presence up to par with your peers isn’t an option; it’s a must.
Good news, though: you don’t have to be a social media guru to tap into its powers, because we have done the work for you by compiling some quick tips to avoid pitfalls that may occur within the most common social platforms.
Universal Tips
Personal Branding: Your brand is important and starts with an appropriate professional image and consistent name usage. For example, use your first and last name for every account you have. It may be tempting to use your first and middle name for your Facebook account name, but don’t. Consistency is key to nailing down your brand. You’ll also want to share who you are, what you’ve done professionally and the things you aspire to do and be.
Be Mindful: We’re not saying you can’t voice your opinion, but be careful with what you say. If you’re heated about a certain event, take some time to cool down before posting. Under no circumstance should you badger companies where you have applied, have worked or are currently working. And go a step further than just being mindful, by removing any profanity, party pictures and posts that may be offensive.
Schedule Posts: You won’t always have time to post to your social platforms, so schedule updates a couple times a week. Share articles or news tidbits you find interesting. Plenty of tools exist that will post on your behalf.
Update Your Profile: Fully utilizing your LinkedIn profile will give recruiters and hiring managers a better understanding of your professional path. Include all relevant work experience; don’t leave out the longevity or specifics of the job. This is your digital “brag book,” so embrace it, and use it to your full advantage.
Connecting: If you don’t know someone, send a personalized message prior to inviting them to connect. It’s easy to send the generic “I’d like to add you on LinkedIn” script, but when you take the time to send a well-thought-out message, it is a lot more meaningful. Connecting with individuals within your industry is a great way to build rapport and will help you during your job search.
Public or Private Profile?: You are able to choose what information is public or private, but inevitably, employers are going to do their research and find you on Facebook. By allowing some parts of your profile to be viewable publicly, you’re showcasing more of who you are to your potential employer. This is a good move if you’re displaying relevant information, like your employment history and education.
Share Professional Status Updates: Did you just publish an amazing blog, or create an outstanding video for your current company? Share it publicly. Announcements like those show that you’re human and conquering feats in your current career. Employers love to see glimpses of your professional life.
Be Active: Utilize Twitter to become a thought leader in your industry. Focus less on personal activities and more on sharing articles about your field. Tweet about industry news and talk to others in your realm of business. Most importantly, don’t forget to use hashtags! After building a Twitter rapport, you’ll see a spike in your followers and people will start coming to you for advice.
Use Keywords: Recruiters utilize search tools and having keywords in your profile makes it easier for them to find you. Put specific keywords related to your industry in your bio. Fortunately, this also helps with becoming an identifiable industry expert, too.
Let social media be a tool that helps, not hurts, your chances on obtaining your dream career. With these quick tips, you’ll be able to establish the social ambience to achieve career success.
