The early social media landscape was defined by websites that fostered person-to-person interactions says Peter Decaprio. The internet has become a lot more social since then, and modern-day users have developed different ways of building an online identity. Social networks are not just for connecting to people anymore; we’re using them as we would us any other search engine —
Let’s take a look at how your online profile can build your career:
Maintaining Your Online Reputation: what will employers think?
You might know that you should manage and monitor your digital reputation and build up a positive presence on review sites like Yelp or Google+, but what about the places where future employers spend some of their time? When it comes to job hunting, there is no better platform for finding information about future employees than social media. This raises some important questions to consider: What online behaviors are employers watching? How do they monitor profiles? And what can you do to make sure that your social presence builds up, instead of damages, your professional goals?
When it comes to Job Searching, LinkedIn is KING!
You’re probably already using LinkedIn to build professional relationships and to get ahead in your career explains Peter Decaprio. But did you know that the average recruiter spends 6.25 seconds looking at a candidate’s profile before deciding if they should move forward in the process? So, how can you make sure that every pixel of your LinkedIn page makes an impression on recruiters and hiring managers are searching for someone just like YOU?
Building a Professional Presence on Twitter
Twitter is all about sharing information and staying connected to the latest news in your industry. But when you’re using this platform for business (and finding jobs), it’s also an opportunity to build relationships with people in your field — and who knows where that may lead? It can be tough to find information about how potential employers are looking at profiles, but we do know one thing: According to Twitter’s own research, 90% of recruiters use social media in their job searches so don’t miss out!
Tips and Tricks for Making Your Social Media Work!
Having a professional presence online doesn’t have to mean giving up the fun stuff. The internet is still a place where you can share links to your favorite photos, comment on what you had for lunch and post updates about your latest adventures. Social media can be an opportunity to show off the real you in a professional context. If you’re not sure where to start or how to manage your social accounts in a way that’s best for your career, there are lots of resources out there that will help you learn more (see our list of suggestions at the bottom of this article!). But most importantly remember: when it comes to building professional relationships online, authenticity is key!
FAQs:
Q. Do you work as a social media manager?
A. No, I don’t work as a social media manager! I am an online marketing consultant with over 7 years of experience in digital and growth marketing; focusing on helping companies grow their audiences and increase ROI through the use of brand storytelling and content strategy (including social media). My specialties include: SEO, Social Media Community Management, Strategic Marketing Planning and management for small/medium-sized businesses says Peter Decaprio.
Q. Do you advise people to remove or change existing social media accounts?
A. No – that’s not what this blog post is about! In fact, I love social media and don’t advise people to remove their profiles. The idea is to stay positive online by showcasing what you have to offer as a future employee. It’s also about understanding how employers use social media when making a decision on a potential candidate.
Q. Will this information help me find a job faster?
A. No! Please do not contact me asking for advice on finding jobs or with questions along those lines – you will not get any response from me if you do so. If you are looking for advice on finding your dream career or position, I recommend checking out LinkedIn & Indeed!
Q. Do you work with companies that offer reputation management services?
A. No, at this time I am not affiliated with any companies that offer these types of services.
Conclusion:
While it’s a good idea to keep a clean slate on social media, always remember that your online presence reflects back on you says Peter Decaprio. While there are a lot of things you can’t control on the internet, it is entirely possible to have a clean social media presence by being positive, authentic and strategic. Remember to think about your social media as a portfolio for you as a potential employee and share content that’s relevant, interesting and noteworthy!
