Increasingly, employers are using social networks in order to find potential employees for their companies. Whereas this had previously been the case only with LinkedIn ; a website dedicated to professional online networking, employers now look to the more personal mediums of Facebook and Twitter in order to determine who would be a suitable candidate for their company. This has happened for a number of reasons. Firstly, Facebook and Twitter provide a far wider recruitment pool for employers, with vast memberships not restricted to a local or regional area. In addition, use of such mediums is cost effective, for a company can save on the cost of advertising for staff. More important than this, however, is the fact that employers can rule out potential hires through the use of Facebook and Twitter.
While employers are well aware that people portray and maintain a professional image on LinkedIn, they also know that people are likely to let their guard down when on a social network talking to their friends. As such, a wall post stating "Heavy night last night, lucky I had "the flu" today LOL" may be all well and good to your friends. However, an employer is likely to see this as showing a lack of professionalism and dedication, not to mention a lack of reliablility.
However, don't despair! This 6 step guide to professional social networking will help you not only avoid the potential pitfalls they can bring, but will also help you enhance your employability through their use
1; Cull Compromising Photo's
This is important for a number of reasons. While a compromising picture taken five years ago while you were drunk on your gap year may seem harmless, your pictures on Facebook are the worlds window to you. Anyone who doesn't know you will judge you to a greater or lesser extent on your pictures on facebook. As such, it is not worth showcasing any pictures that show you in a negative light. You wouldn't walk through a busy public place in your underwear, so why post such pictures on facebook, the busiest public place of them all. Of course, bosses generally aren't prudish enough to judge you on such pictures, but it doesn't help you to provide the mature, responsible and capable image you're looking for, does it? In addition getting rid of such pictures early has the added benefit avoid the embarressment of such pictures circulating round the office without your knowledge...
2; Spell Clearly
It sounds obvious, but spelin lyk dis duzzunt luk impressif duz it? The truth is that employers look at this and think that, though it was very big and brave of you to have applied, they are going to appoint the grown-up instead. I'm not saying you should craft a perfectly sculpted article everytime you update, but have some quality control!
3; Clean your Wall
Again, this should be done to avoid looking like a child online. Little widgets suggesting how "hot" you are today or the score you got on farmville may be a cutesy bit of fun, but it does rather suggest someone that has a little too much time on their hands. Also, such things provide a distraction for employers, who are much more likely to take in the big flashing signs than anything insightful or revealing you might have said. Also, avoid excessive swearing on your wall, and remember that if you have a crude joke to share you can always send it via a private message.
4; Talk about work
While it may not be the kind of update your friends want to see, employers really do value someone who is passionate, excited and enthusiastic about their work. Your posts on facebook should respond to this accordingly. So talk about your work, your career aspirations or your job search, and you will come across as someone who genuninely enjoys what they do. Moreover, gain the right connections on Facebook or Twitter(see 6) and you may be able to find someone to help you achieve your ambitions
but...
5; Don't moan about work
This creates exactly the impression you want to avoid. Complaining about bosses or working hours betrays trust and shows a lack of professionalism, as well as suggesting that you only turn up for work to pick up a paycheck. Instead, talk if you can about enjoying the challenge of work, and remember that, if you have nothing nice to say, it is better to say nothing at all.
6; Gain Contacts
As I suggested previously, Social Networks can be useful in providing you with connections who can help you out of difficult situations. As such, like companies that you admire and respect on facebook, follow them on twitter. Get involved with discussions on issues regarding work on Facebook, indeed do whatever you can do to start a dialogue with people who may be able to provide you with an oppurtunity. It is well worth doing this, partially because you may come across someone who can help you on the off chance, but also because doing such things can help you to sharpen your thoughts and arguments regarding issues surrounding work, which is a useful thing to have done when considering filling in application forms and dealing with job interviews.
Of course, all of this is based on the assumption that you want you're social networking to be professional. Remember, the opinion you should follow should be your own. Just consider this to be a second opinion from a complete stranger online. It is a perfectly reasonable position to take to keep it as a forum for friends, and of course you can always change your settings to private. However, used correctly, social networks can assist you in getting ahead professionally; employers do check them, and often draw certain assumptions from them
Do you agree that Social Networking matters at all professionally? Are they supposed to be a forum for friends, or can they really be used to enhance job prospects?
Let me know what you think!
