Do you know that over 60% of employers actually look at a potential employee’s social media profiles in order to help make their final decision? It is important that all job seekers know what is on their social media accounts and steps they can take in order to have their social media actually help with their job search. Here are some tips to keep in mind when updating your profiles.
Image by Melissa Swanson
This article was contributed by Stevenson University.
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Social media is the most powerful platform of disseminating information. It has started to guide our lives in ways that not many would have thought possible a decade ago. How you intend to use it is, however, your prerogative. So, why not use it to your advantage?
For those students who travel abroad for their education, social media can be an important research tool. So, here is a list compiled of social media accounts to make your student-traveler life just that much easier and more adventurous.
Facebook:
The ease of posting blogs, pictures, and posts makes it an ideal site for sharing traveling experiences. Here are some must-follow accounts on Facebook that will give you a completely new perspective on traveling.
The Blonde Abroad:
This award-winning blog-cum-Facebook page is engaging with beautiful photography and video segments.
Everything Everywhere:
The Facebook page name means literally what it says. Gary Arndt has travelled over 170 countries and chronicles his travels through photographs. Give this devout traveler a go and do what he does, whether it is bungee jumping, floating in the Dead Sea or riding out a tsunami in Haiti.
Twenty-Something Traveler:
“Why wait to see the world?” That’s the question you will ask yourself after exploring Stephanie’s blog. This travel blogger not only writes about her travels but also gives some very helpful tips on traveling.
Nomadic Matt:
Are the expenses of travel stopping you from planning your trip? Well, Nomadic Matt is here for your rescue as he tells you how to make budget-friendly trips across the world as he has done with 16 million others.
Twitter:
Head over to the Twitterverse to explore tweeps who have traveled and are now here to help you experience the joys of travel.
Reid on Travel:
Unique in its content, Robert Reid will make you look at places anew and at its eccentric best. He is presently the Digital Nomad for National Geographic Traveler.
Chic Travel:
Discover luxury travel on a budget with Melanie Nayer as she shows you the best that the world has to offer. She explores not only the culinary world but also social issues that matter.
Pinterest:
Pin these travel accounts into your life and they are sure to grab your interest. Find out all the to-dos of traveling!
Go Overseas:
The perfect destination for students, Go Overseas combines travel with meaning. Whether for study, volunteering and interning or taking a gap year, their Pinterest account will guide you through it all.
Globetrotter Girls:
Globetrotting since 2010, Dani and Jess will supply you with the to-dos of traveling while showing you the world through their travels. They address everything from budget travel to social issues.
yTravelblog:
This Australian travel couple, Caz and Craig, will help you with anything travel-related. Whether solo or group trips, they have the best advice up their sleeves and they are willing to share.
Instagram:
Travel through pictures. Be inspired to travel by seeing the world through the lens of another.
A New Yorker Travels:
Harry Devert is the New Yorker who travels. Whether high up in the mountains or down below at Madison Square garden, he captures the world with his camera. And what a world it is.
Kick the Grind:
The world is actually incredible and Mike Corey shows it to you. This travel filmmaker will show you why possessions don’t hold a candle over experiences.
Murad Osmann:
Who wouldn’t be envious of the girlfriend who is leading Murad Osmann around the world? His photograph captures the poignancy of each place.
This article was contributed by guest author Sophia Harris.
Image by Shekhar_Sahu, Flickr
Networking is primarily the art of connecting with peers and colleagues to further your career advancement and development through mutual and beneficial cooperation. Unfortunately, most recent grads ultimately fail to realize that networking is not about taking, but also about giving.
Networking is one of the most valuable tools in job searching, and unfortunately for most, does not come easily. LinkedIn is a valuable and accessible social networking tool, with over 300 million users worldwide, that all professionals and recent graduates should use to connect and interact with prospective employers. Here’s a list of five LinkedIn job search and networking tips:
LinkedIn is not just about connecting with professionals – it is also a career centre. As of right now there are over 76,000 Canadian job postings (you’ll see this number change on a daily basis). Job postings through LinkedIn are important because they give you more access to prospective employers – usually the job poster’s profile is attached to the listing. Take some time to do some research of not only the company, but also of the hiring manager or recruiter. This is valuable and insightful information that is often not available when applying through traditional job boards like Workopolis or Monster.
Don’t be afraid to make connections with senior management in your career field. LinkedIn is a perfectly acceptable method of introduction, whether it be through one of your existing contacts or not. For example: decide on an industry you want to enter, find a company you want to work for, do some research on the company, as well as its employees, and connect with HR managers by way of introduction through a mutual acquaintance or by approaching them yourself.
An example could be messaging the hiring manager of a small manufacturing company: “Hi, X. My name is Robert and I wanted to connect with you because I have an interest in working with your company. I noticed on your company website that you are looking for a production supervisor. I think I would be a great fit for this opportunity because of A, B and C.”
In the example above remember that networking is based on reciprocity; professionals do not connect with other professionals without a reason, or without the expectation that you can help one another. In this example you are connecting with someone because you feel you are a qualified candidate. You benefit by getting a job, and your connection benefits by potentially filling one of their roles. You’ve also stuck out from the crowd, made initial contact with the hiring manager, and skipped the queue all in one connection. I would also advise following up with a phone call the next day.
There are few professional social media outlets that let you browse your direct competition. Although job applications are confidential, LinkedIn does let you look at professionals similar to yourself. Use this to improve your profile and resume. Obviously do not steal people’s job description bullet points, but look at the professionals in your industry and see how you measure up, where you can improve, and what you are good at.
LinkedIn is a pool of wisdom if you’re willing to look for it. There are options on LinkedIn to “follow” (not connect) with “LinkedIn Influencers.” Use this to your advantage, and take note of what industry leaders have to say about a variety of personal and professional issues.
Join groups with other like-minded professionals in your field or location. There’s a mountain of wealth to be learned in LinkedIn groups, and they also provide a way to align your connections and network along your chosen career path. Job searching is increasingly turning to social media and online profiles, and professional groups are often where peers and colleagues congregate to discuss industry hot button topics, opportunities, market trends and more.
Read more on LinkedIn here:
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You have no job experience. You’re in school 30 hours a week, nearly 40 weeks a year. You feel like all other time is spent studying, working on assignments, and drinking coffee to stay awake. You’re conscious of your future, and the online community talks about how everyone “needs” to be on LinkedIn. You know it’s useless to set up a profile with nothing on it. So how can you create one that will actually add value for recruiters or industry professionals?
Great question. Starting with the 10 tips below will make a world of difference to your professional online brand:
The group photo from that party last summer may be your most photogenic shot yet. The one with your dog licking your face is cute too. And you look drop-dead gorgeous in the photo where you wore that low-cut dress. Here’s a tip: save those for Facebook. LinkedIn should be used for making industry connections and trying to further (or even begin) your career. It’s in your best interest to use a professional picture. Choose a clear headshot with only you in the photo, and a solid or lighter background. Remember that most recruiters will be viewing a thumbnail of your photo, so it’s your face you want visible, not your dog’s tongue.
If you have a part-time job, add that as your headline. If you’re on the job hunt, don’t be afraid to call yourself a student, but also use phrases like “aspiring professional” (make it specific to your industry). Show recruiters that you’re interested in the industry and ready to start your career.
Keywords within your headline and the rest of your profile will help recruiters or industry professionals find your profile in a search. Do some research on popular terms in your preferred industry and make sure to talk about them within your profile, but only use the terms that are relevant to you. Keep your profile honest.
This isn’t one of the sections where you can select a description from a drop down list. You’ll need to use some brain power here and describe your qualities to a potential recruiter. What is it about you that will make a recruiter want to know more in an interview? This is a good place to highlight those keywords, and to show how you’re different from other potential candidates.
Is LinkedIn a professional platform? Yes. But remember that recruiters want to see you have a personality. There are ways to make your profile professional, but relaxed. If you have hobbies, mention them. Stay away from slang and exclamation marks, but there’s no need to be overly stiff either. Find a balance that shows who you are.
When you don’t have work experience, recruiters will be drawn to your volunteer experience. Even if you do have work experience, some recruiters place a great deal of value on your extracurriculars. If you can show initiative and success in places where you aren’t being paid, they’ll start to imagine what you could do for them with a salary.
No one likes asking people to say something positive about them, but once you get that first recommendation, your self-confidence will skyrocket. Those recommendations will also mean a great deal to recruiters. Now, don’t go looking for recommendations from people who barely know you; the whole idea is to add value to your profile. Ask people you’ve volunteered with/for, who you’ve been part of a committee with, or who can vouch for your work ethic.
LinkedIn is brimming with hundreds (if not thousands) of groups for every industry. If you’re looking towards working in one or two specific industries, find groups that interest you and join them. Read up on what professionals are discussing within the group, and offer your insights when you can. This will show up on your connections’ feeds, and if you’re adding value to the conversation, people will be aware of it.
One of the biggest keys to professionalism is ensuring your profile is error-free. Check for spelling and grammar. If you’re unsure, Google it. Get someone to review it for you. Your profile is, essentially, your online resume – put as much care into it as you would with your hard copy.
Do all job postings seem to require 3-5 years of industry experience? You might be looking in the wrong place. LinkedIn has recently become more student-friendly; they even have a student-specific job section full of internships, co-ops, and entry-level positions. Don’t make recruiters come to you – be proactive and start the job hunt on your own.
Follow LinkedIn’s student-focused Twitter account for more advice on optimizing your LinkedIn profile: @LinkedInU.
Good luck with your profile! Tweet us @StudentsDotOrg when you have yours set up and we’d be happy to offer feedback.
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Every student is going to have a different set of people they follow on social media, depending on their interests. You might be a diehard hockey fan and religiously check up on your favourite player. You might love sitting in a quiet corner of your house with a new book and scour @NYTimesBooks for ideas for your next read. You might be interested in the thoughts of business leaders and gather insight from @BillGates.
We want to know what your interests are. Who – or what – do you follow? Remember to share this page with your friends via the links at the top of the page so they can give their input too. We will summarize the results and provide you with a list of the most popular accounts to track on social media, as chosen by your peers.
In the mood for another survey? Give us more of your insights here.
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Friends and family aren’t the only ones checking your social media accounts; many recruiters do research on applicants by searching their names online. If you were a recruiter searching your name, would you like what you see? Several things from your profile picture to the things you post can be huge red flags to your potential employer. Here are some things you can do to prevent putting your career in danger:
No matter what or where you’re posting content, make sure they follow the two P’s of posting: your content is professional and positive. For example, if you want to complain about something, keep it PG and be sure to offer solutions. No one likes a whiner, but everyone appreciates someone who gives good constructive criticism.
Your picture tends to be the first thing anyone notices when they look at your profile. Make sure it is appropriate. Check anything else on your profile including text posts, other pictures, links, groups you’re in and things you’ve liked. Ensure that you have nothing on your profile that you would be embarrassed of if a recruiter were to see. This does not only include the stuff that you post. Check to see if your friends have any unsavoury pictures of you posted online.
Review the privacy settings of your accounts to guarantee that only the people you want can view your profile. However, there are always ways for your potential employer to see your profile. It could be as simple as a shared friend that will give them access, so don’t expect to be safe just because you have all of the security settings up.
All of these precautions don’t mean you should stop posting and being an active social media consumer altogether. You should use social media as much as possible to shine in the eyes of the recruiter. Liking Facebook pages or following Twitter accounts of industry experts is a great way to do so. LinkedIn is a wonderful website that helps you get noticed. Make your online presence count by joining LinkedIn groups related to your desired career path and start expanding your network early. If you want to join the public relations field or be a writer, consider starting a blog. Create a website and post your portfolio to let others see your amazing work. Overall, show recruiters that you have a personality and that you are a great fit for their company.
Do as the recruiters do and search yourself on the web. Think of yourself as a brand and social media as a marketing tool. Are you marketing yourself well? Not only are you using it carefully, but are you also using it wisely? Most importantly, do you seem valuable enough for your prospective employers to invest in you?
