Social media – what every job seeker should know

Living in an ever-increasingly inter-connected world, sharing things on social media makes it accessible within seconds to multiple circles outside of your immediate interactions, all over your city, and across the globe. I know what you’re probably thinking: this is another one of those posts saying clean it up. No swearing, or other inappropriate content and yes, I am going to tell you exactly that because it’s all true. Recruiters and potential employers check out your social media, and unfiltered content can damage your employability in an instant.

Something else is also true: social media can be a powerful, positive tool in your job search and your overall career. It’s not all pitfalls. Yes, recruiters are checking you out on Facebook and Instagram after they receive your resume, but in current times they are progressively more proactive across social media platforms. Actively searching for candidates, on their pursuit to fill positions. They know what they need, and they are looking for you, but you have the advantage here. By making yourself presentable, you will be able to access and engage with potential employment opportunities much more easily.

Social media can only be a powerful tool when used to its full potential. Opportunities are not confined to just Indeed or LinkedIn; Twitter, Facebook, and others offer spaces to host job postings along with other career features, and companies are using them. I want you to know that your personal brand extends to all social media - all social media. Whether it is Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest, you should be attentive of how your personal brand comes through (you’ve got to clean it up!) and how you can leverage the sites in your job search if you choose to.

Almost any site provides you with networking opportunities or a chance to showcase your education, training, experience, skills, and accomplishments to prospective employers. You simply need to use them correctly. ‘Correctly’ – being the key word here – is the critical part. A negative digital personal brand can cost you a job you worked hard to find. Keep in mind, there is a subtle difference between promoting yourself and overexposure. You want to hold interest or let people know you are looking for opportunities without seeming desperate. If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, that’s understandable. There are many elements: cleaning up your online reputation, ensuring that your professional brand comes through clearly, learning which sites to use and how best to use them and actively network for open doors to opportunities; these are each projects on their own.

I feel so strongly about digital personal branding and how critical it is that I offer several courses through the Nspire Careers platform, specifically aimed at helping my clients develop an authentic personal brand across multiple platforms. A strong brand can lead to opportunities that you never knew existed. Whether you want to leverage social media as part of your job search, or just ensure that it remains private and doesn’t cost you an opportunity, it is important to be mindful of the impact social media can have on your career.

You deserve a brand that encapsulates the wonder that you are, and I’m here to help you navigate the online world.