How to Create a Social Media Savvy Profile for Your Future Employer
In today’s
social media-obsessed culture, it is no surprise that job placement
agencies in Singapore are turning to social media to check the viability of
aspiring candidates. According to a survey, almost half of the respondents
refused to hire an applicant because of what they saw in his/her social media
account. In the same survey, almost one-third have been moved to hiring an
applicant because of something they saw online.
Given how
much social media can sway the decisions of hiring managers, it is important
for applicants to know how to make themselves appetizing in social media.
However, do not be confused! This is not about projecting a false version of yourself in order for
you to get hired. What matters is projecting who you truly are, in the best
possible light.
First, where do they look?
When asked
which profiles they would most likely check, employers and hiring managers
named the following:
· - LinkedIn
· - Facebook
· - Twitter
· - Instagram
· - Tumblr
The top
three social media platforms (LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter) still remain as
the go-to platforms for employers, with Twitter slowly increasing in popularity.
When asked, employers search social media profiles to check consistency of
facts with that in the resume, how applicants articulate themselves, how
creative they are, and if they would fit in the company’s culture.
So, what should you do?
Although
you can’t change your online persona overnight, or who you actually are, your
interests, beliefs and mistakes, you can however, control the narrative. Social
media is all about presenting a story about yourself, and in your profiles, you
should be the protagonist. To achieve that, here are five tips to creating a
social media savvy profile:
1.
Highlight your creativity
You don’t need to be an excellent artist or musician to be called
creative. Your creativity can shine even through your most mundane posts—that
flat lay of your breakfast, the way you review the last episode of your
favourite TV series, your crazy groupie with your friends, that clever
one-liner you randomly thought of during your commute—such posts shows that you
can do ordinary things in an extraordinary way.
2.
Showcase your social network
As the old adage goes: “Tell me who your friends are, and I’ll tell you
who you are,” having reputable and equally social media savvy friends connected
to your profile won’t hurt your cause. LinkedIn is especially good at creating
networks of professionals. Take advantage of this! Facebook has also began
introducing a Featured Friends option. Carefully consider which of your friends
you show as this can affect your persona.
3.
Project positivity
No career
placement agency will want an applicant who complains day in and day out of
how much their job sucks, how unfair their boss is, or how terrible their
workmates are. Avoid posting negative remarks not only about your current job,
but about life in general. Employers are interested with how well you can solve
problems, not complain about them.
4.
Keep it clean
It is very unlikely that a placement
agency in Singapore will recommend an applicant who posts pornographic
materials or violent videos on their profile. Although you can argue that what
you do on your on time, your interests and hobbies, should not affect how you
are judged for a specific position, you can’t fault them if they would not hire
employees with naked women in their profile.
5.
Be yourself
Again, this is not about changing who you are, but highlighting the best
of you. Therefore, it is important to stay true to yourself. Do not post or
include information in your profile that is not true. Employers also appreciate
honesty.
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