Social media networks, like Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, can be highly valuable resources you can use not only to network with the people you already know, but also to expand your network to other people. In the world of work and careers, it’s often a matter of who you know, and not much of what you know. That is why job seekers need to be creative and resourceful in using their connections and those social media tools to find and land a job.
However, social media also has its own dangers for young professionals. Knowledgeable young professionals are aware that there are social media guidelines they have to follow in order to maximize the potential and power of social media in their job hunt.
Below are some social media guidelines young professionals should follow:
1. Make sure your online presence is ‘employer-friendly’.
Many of us have a personal page on their blogs, social media sites, and other websites that contains information that is not always appropriate for the workplace. Before you go for an interview, check out and analyze your online presence to know if the content, comments, and images you have posted will be acceptable for managers or recruiters. If you feel that some of them are inappropriate, then just get rid of them.
2. Eliminate negative content online.
It is a good idea to do a Google search of your name to make sure that whatever content is out there reflects favorably upon you and your image. If there is content that you are not really proud of, it is best to develop a plan that you will use to mitigate the problems such content might cause in the future.
3. Be familiar with the social media policy of the company.
Once you get employed by a particular company, you should expect that there are other social media guidelines you need to adhere to. There are companies that have very strict social media guidelines. In fact, there are companies that block or restrict their employees’ access to sites like Twitter or Facebook. On the other hand, there are employers who are more lenient in allowing their workers to maintain their social media accounts.
4. Take a look at your privacy settings.
Do not forget to review what information is out there about you on the internet. Once you get hired, you will be considered a reflection of the company you work for, so it is important that you keep a positive image online. Your career or personal coach may suggest that you check your privacy settings on Facebook, for instance, and know who can view your photos, your posts, and your own wall. It may even be necessary for you to untag yourself from photos that don’t show a professional image of you.
Finding a new job is hard enough without having to worry about your social media pages and how they reflect upon you. The best way to do this is to be preemptive and clean up your social media prior to submitting the first job application. Then make sure that you keep it clean moving forward. Remember that social media is a great way to find a new job but, unfortunately, it is also a way to keep you out of the running for a job. So, as the saying goes, it's always best to be safe than sorry.
Photo courtesy of ReviewManagement.com at www.flickr.com
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