Applying for a new job can be super exciting! However, let’s face it…it can also be downright nerve-racking. You want to convince the hiring manager that you’re the perfect person for the job, but this can be difficult to accomplish with just a cover letter and resume, a written application, and a brief interview. Even if you answer the interview questions perfectly, you may feel like you didn’t have enough time to cover everything you wanted to.
This is where professional social media can come in handy and work to your advantage. Any good interviewer will be sure to give your name a quick search online before they speak to you, to get a feel for who you are as a person, and to hunt for any red flags that might mean you’re not a good fit for the company.
So how can you optimize your online presence and make your profile stand out from the crowd? Let’s take a look.
Make your personal profiles private
First, make sure that you’re keeping your personal and professional profiles separate. Even if you’ve got nothing to hide, it’s hard to comment on industry insights and create a professional brand in any impactful way if your feed is interspersed with your holiday pics and photos of your cute puppy. So, rather than cramping your creative online style (or, heaven forbid, depriving the world of your cute puppy photos!), there’s a simple solution: put a lock on your personal profile so that only the people you approve can see it. This means that when recruiters search your name, they’ll be able to access only your public professional profile.
Get a professional headshot and use it consistently
First impressions count. Selfies are fine for your private feeds, but on the professional side, be sure to get a professionally produced headshot – you’ll look like you mean business when it comes to how you’re perceived online. Plus, research shows that having a professional headshot will yield more views on your social media profiles – which in turn may increase the number of connections and impressions on your posts, which in turn (yes, it’s a cascade of positives!) will make you look like a well-connected voice in your chosen field. And remember to use the same photo across all your professional profiles for consistency.
Have a clear personal brand
Part of the joy of social media is that it allows you to share, comment on, and create content that you’re genuinely interested in – it’s much more personal than a CV or resume. However, it can be difficult for a recruiter or hiring manager to understand what you stand for or are passionate about if you lack consistency online. An occasional “like” of your colleagues’ posts doesn’t say that much about you as an individual.
Instead, up your game and create a clear personal brand. Identify an area that you’re knowledgeable about and interested in, and then create and share content around this niche. You can also seek out other people who share your areas of expertise and get inspiration from their profiles – and always remember to give credit if you share their content.
Make sure your bio and experience are up to date
Finally, it’s important to make sure that your bio and experience sections are up to date on all social profiles. It doesn’t look good if your resume says one thing, but your social media says another – you never want to inadvertently cause doubt about what’s true.
At least quarterly, do a thorough review of your online presence. While you’re updating your bio, be sure to add any new experience to your profiles, as well – either directly, or via a portfolio link, if applicable. You want this section to be clear and concise, to allow any interested parties to instantly see what you have to offer their team.
Making changes to your social profiles won’t take long, and it’s surprisingly easy. Follow these four simple tips, and you’ll significantly increase the chances of getting that all-important job offer. Bonne chance!
That’s it for today. Thanks for all your feedback and support, and please keep in touch with your comments and suggestions for future topics. Happy Springtime (or Autumn, if you’re a reader/follower in the southern hemisphere), and I’ll see you again soon!