Any of these social media outlets could be your best friend, or your worst enemy if not used properly
Who are you? More like, who do people think you are? You may think that everyone believes you are dedicated hard-working college student. Which could be the truth but that picture of you buried under a mound of beer bottles with the caption #collegelife doesn’t say hard working, or dedicated. Social media is a critical tool in building your personal brand, a brand that will follow throughout your higher education and into your professional career. Beware; this post may cause you to panic and frantically delete the latest “BAR NIGHT!! LGFU” post, but I promise it is for the best. Here are three ways to build your personal brand using Social Media, which could lead to a very successful future.
If it Could Get You Fired, it Won’t Get You Hired
An example of what NOT to post to your social media
Now, I’m not an advocate for censorship, but when it comes to Social Media content, personal censorship is necessary. The University of Auckland puts this perfectly “Think carefully and critically about how what you say or do will be perceived by others and act with appropriate restraint in online communications.” There are times we all want to rant about a peer, or professor for that matter, and we launch our attack on every Social Media outlet we have. If you described your boss as (insert insult) online, you will really think that after they fire you. Associate Professor of Communication Studies at Longwood University Jeff Halliday in the Podcast above, emphasizes the point that just one mistake on Social Media could prevent you from obtaining that dream job. Remember, before you deleted it, someone saw it. Keep that in mind when you post on your Social Media. “No one likes, hires, or promotes a whiner,” states Business2Community. Maintain a positive presence, and your future employer, and followers, will respect your optimism.
Keep it Relevant
Keep this in the back of your mind when developing your personal brand!
What do you want to do for a living? If you an interest in a potential profession, display this on you Social Media outlets. Show potential employers you live and breath this profession! Yes, your 25 posts about how wonderful your “honey bear” is are great, but your employers probably don’t care. Show them what they want to see. Hypothetically, if you are interested in Public Relations, let professionals see that the majority of Twitter users you follow are PR news sources and news sources in general. Retweet and post on Facebook your favorite articles or research on a topic you are interested in. On the other hand, your social media does not have to be strictly about an academic/career interest. You can utilize your social media to display ANY interest you have. For example, if you have an interest in celebrity new, like Longwood Communication Studies major Heather Turner, show this off as well! Keeping your social media relevant to whatever your interests are will not only show potential employers you have interests, but that you know how to discuss them in an effective and thought provoking manner.
Create a LinkedIn Account
Lastly, there is the ultimate professional networking tool at your fingertips: LinkedIn. No, this is not the best place to find out dirt on your lab partner, but it is a hot zone for references and online connections with professionals. Forbes Magazine explains how you should use this to showcase your experience in your respected field. Let’s be honest, your resume can only say so much, so this is your opportunity to show potential employers everything your resume can’t. However, just like your other Social Media outlets, you must have a strategy. The Business Insider explains how one the greatest mistakes people make on Social Media is lack of strategy. Dr. Alec Hosterman, Associate Professor of Communication Studies at Longwood University states in the Podcast above that you should have a consistent brand across all of your Social Media, and LinkedIn is no different. LinkedIn is a chance for you to build relationships with industry professionals. Use this wisely. Prove to them you are different than other potential candidates.
In conclusion, although the pictures of your weekend bash were pretty crazy, that’s not the professional label employers are looking for. Use your Social Media to display your personal ideas and thoughts, just keep them controlled and respectful. Use them as a tool to market yourself and your expertise. This does not mean you shouldn’t post the pictures from the family reunion, just ask yourself “what does this say about me?” If you keep all of this in mind, I have not doubt that you will be viewed exactly how you want to be online.