Social Media Best Practices and First Impressions!
No one is perfect and we all make mistakes when it comes to our social media presence. We can fall into the trap of getting too comfortable, and run the risk of oversharing. Today more and more employers are using social media as a recruiting tool to look at potential employees, even using it as a way to decide whether or not to interview an applicant. The fix is easy, and here are a few best practices to take into consideration when posting to all of your social media profiles: Do not post anything you would not want a potential employer to see/read. Always be sure to check spelling, grammar, and use proper punctuation before hitting the “post” button. (I’ve included a few links to resources to help with writing skills below) Keep the negativity to a minimum or leave it out altogether. Employers want to hire people that are positive, can adapt to change or pivot when necessary, are open to new ideas, and are willing to pitch in wherever needed, etc. When picking your profile picture, don’t post anything your grandmother wouldn’t be proud of. If you prefer to not have your profile (i.e. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.) viewable to potential employers, just keep your profile(s) private. When it comes to Jobcase, remember that your profile is the first impression you’re making with employers, and keep all of your info up to date! Keep the rants to a minimum. Jobcase is here to help each other talk through challenges. But there is a difference between ranting vs. calling to attention a challenge that multiple members may be coming up against, and working towards a solution together. Keep any references to alcohol or drug usage off of your profiles. Try to stay away from getting “too personal” resulting in oversharing And lastly, do not use profanity on your profile.
As promised, here a few links to resources to help in your writing and to assist in grammar, spelling, etc.! https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/06/50-free-resources-that-will-improve-your-writing-skills/ http://www.wikihow.com/Sample/Proper-Punctuation https://www.time4writing.com/free-writing-resources/ https://interestingliterature.com/2015/02/02/10-free-online-resources-to-improve-your-writing/
This is great advice, Julie! It's so important to be aware of your online presence when you're looking for a job. One thing I would suggest is googling your name to see what comes up. Chances are, there could be things surfacing that you'd completely forgotten about posting at all.