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Three tips for using social media in a professional manner
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Are you using social networking sites to launch a full scale job search? If you are, you are on to somethin
g. According to a CareerBuilder survey 45% of employers are using social networking sites to screen candidates. That’s a lot of employers – many of whom you might want to work for! So, there are some critical (and potentially career limiting) things you should be mindful of when launching a search.
Keeping private things private
Keeping things private is not so easy. I didn’t even know there was such a thing anymore. Oh, that’s right – there isn’t. Virtually everything is available online. If you put something in writing seven years ago in an email to a friend at work regarding a tryst you had with an office mate it could come back to haunt you. So can pictures, tweets, and information shared on Facebook. Why risk it? Keep everything above board to maintain a sterling reputation. As companies review the backgrounds and qualifications of the candidates they are considering, hiring managers and human resource representatives will be reviewing all of the things available online. Why? Because they can! It is just too easy to gain access to information to not do some due diligence. Finding comments related to parties where you were drinking to excess, using recreational drugs, and partying out of bounds will not gain you any points. You will be perceived as erratic, irresponsible, and therefore a hiring risk. The job market is flush with people looking for work – highly qualified people. Even in the best of times, the job market is competitive. Your résumé, no matter how good it is will not get you in the door if your own bad PR precedes you.
Always take the high road
Sharing things online about past job experiences that were not positive, bad mouthing co-workers, lying, and discriminatory remarks are things that can put the kabash on your job search. Companies are especially cognizant of data that can be obtained from online sources. Like never before it is easy to uncover the ‘dirt’ without looking really hard. A professional image – in addition to a polished in person and online presence will go a very long way in launching you to a positive position during the search.
Smilies and initialisms need not apply
Regardless of the way people express themselves to friends during online chat – think LMAO, GR8, ROFL, and other verbal shortcuts, including but not limited to smilies – these things should never be used during a job search. Again, this goes back to a level of professionalism that employers are looking for. You might think it is cute and helps to set a more relaxed tone; but, you would be wrong. Using shortcuts and smiley faces are juvenile in the professional world. Trust me, you will likely be discounted as a possible contender for a job – even for something as innocuous as a smiley.
You should be active on social networking sites – particularly if you are going to use them for your search. Make sure all information you share is timely and relevant to your search or topic you are discussing. This will position you to be identified for possible opportunities within your area of interest and background.
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Debra Wheatman, CPRW, CPCC is the founder and Chief Career Strategist of ResumesDoneWrite, a premier career services provider focused on developing highly personalized career roadmaps for senior leaders and executives across all verticals and industries.
Debra can be reached at -
DWheatman@ResumesDoneWrite.com
ResumesDoneWrite.Blogspot.com
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