Use social media to professionalize your online presence

July 23, 12:44 PMBoston Social Media ExaminerCourtney Spencer

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Web 2.0 technologies are changing the approach to the traditional job search. No longer are job searches confined to just a resume. It's now all about your web presence.

Social networking sites, such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, are all key components in helping to brand and professionalize your image.

Here are some tips and tools to help professionalize and monitor your online presence.

LinkedIn: 

• Make sure your LinkedIn profile is updated and completed to 100% capacity.
• Never lie. Your current and past job descriptions need to be accurate and truthful.
• Make sure to list and update all your contact information and personal website(s). You may include your Facebook and Twitter accounts, if they are constantly monitored and appropriate.
• Show off your creative skills! If there is a particular PowerPoint presentation or report that you are proud of, then display it on your LinkedIn profile.
• Edit your contact settings. "Give people advice on how you want to be contacted," i.e. career opportunities, new ventures, reference requests, etc.

Facebook:

• Use an appropriate picture for your profile picture. This is your first impression to recruiters and for future networking opportunities.
• Update your privacy settings. Put your Facebook friends into groups in order to make setting the privacy controls easier. For example, if you do not want your "co-workers" viewing your profile or pictures, simply create a "co-workers group" and block them from those updates.
• Monitor what your friends write on your wall because remember, they are associated to you.
• Avoid listing "inappropriate" interests in your profile such as partying, drinking, etc. I recommend listing interesting topics that could be used to create conversation in a possible interview such as, skiing, traveling or running.

Twitter:

• Watch your use of language. Avoid using swear words or words that many would find offensive. It is always a safer bet to keep your content light and fresh.
• Use the privacy settings to block your status updates from the public, if that would make you feel more comfortable with your content.

Lastly, Google yourself! The internet is now your new permanent record. Everything you do and say is recorded. So remember this, Google never forgets!