Building a Professional Online Presence
Balancing your personal social media use with building a professional online presence is critical, especially as a student entering university. While platforms like Instagram, Facebook and Twitter/X are common for staying updated with friends, they also have significance on your professional life as well. Many recruiters and employers will use these platforms to vet candidates, so managing your online reputation is essential as you begin your university journey.
Why your online presence matters
It’s an obvious statement but, social media can be used by anyone – from students to professionals. Don’t assume that it’s just your peers who are browsing your pages. Potential employers and recruiters are also taking a peek, meaning they might see more than you intend if you’re not careful. Your online persona can shape the first impression they have of you so let’s make it a positive one.
Privacy and professionalism
Before you get swept away with university life and you’re too far down the line, it’s important that you separate your personal and professional online presence. We’re not talking about frantically erasing all your social media history, but instead being strategic about what’s visible to who. Start by adjusting your privacy settings on platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and even Twitter/X to ensure only your friends and followers can see your personal posts.
Do a quick self-audit: Head to your preferred search engine and search for your name to see what shows up. Recruiters will most likely do the same when considering your application. What they find needs to highlight the best version of you, both professionally and personally.
Managing content: What do you want to be public?
It’s still possible to enjoy your personal social media accounts while maintaining a professional image online. One approach is to keep LinkedIn for your professional life and platforms like Facebook and Instagram for personal use. On LinkedIn, you can utilise your profile to reflect your skills, accomplishments and career interests. Join industry-specific groups, interact and engage with like-minded professionals, and use the platform to build a network that could support your future job search.
If you’re active on other platforms or public forums, such as Reddit or Pinterest, be mindful of the content you’ve posted. Old posts and comments can come back to haunt you if they don’t reflect the persona you want potential employers to see.
Email and voicemail count too
It may seem like a minor detail but think about your email address. If you’re using a casual address from “coolguy@…”, it’s time to switch to something more professional. The same goes for your voicemail message, make sure it’s polite and straightforward. It won’t create a good impression if a potential employer attempts to call you and is left with a jokey voicemail message.
Networking with purpose
Social media isn’t just for connecting with friends and sharing what you had for your breakfast; it’s a powerful tool for networking in your field of interest. Use LinkedIn to connect with companies, professionals and industry leaders who align with your career goals. Make an effort to engage with their posts and conversations to learn more about their industries. You can even interact with recruiters before applying for a job. This early connection can make you stand out from the crowd when it comes to the interview stage.
Showcase your skills
LinkedIn allows you to highlight your skills and accomplishments in ways that a traditional CV can’t. Take advantage of features such as certification uploads, skill endorsements and recommendation requests to bolster your profile. You might also consider creating your own newsletter or website to showcase your creativity, thought leadership or a portfolio of projects you’ve worked on. This is especially useful for those working in a creative field like design, media, marketing and communications.
Remember, the internet can be a great resource for professional growth if you manage it wisely. By setting boundaries between your personal and professional lives online, you can still enjoy your social media without it filtering into your professional identity.
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