CAC’s March Balancing Work & Cancer webinar focused on building an effective LinkedIn profile (to view the session, click here). However, the professional social networking site is not the only online platform to focus on when building/maintaining a professional online presence. Facebook and Twitter are also frequently reviewed both by hiring managers interested in learning more about potential candidates and by employers who want to know more about their current staff. This makes it essential for today’s professionals to understand social media dos and don’ts.
Recently, the online magazine Baseline published a piece titled “Social Media Personas That Kill Careers.” A few of the article’s key observations are highlighted below — and paired with alternative approaches that can be used strategically to help you build your best online self:
- A feed that’s been flooded with negative commentary suggests the tendency to lead with complaints rather than a can-do attitude. So instead of constantly critiquing, share posts that showcase your critical-thinking skills and illustrate the sort of valuable insights you’re capable of contributing.
- While being “detail oriented” may pay off on the job, broadcasting all the finer points of your personal and/or work life may raise concerns about your ability to exercise discretion in the workplace. Be selective about the information you share on all sites, including Facebook (which may feel like a private, personal space but actually ranks very high in Google searches).
- On the flip side, online profiles that go unattended for long stretches of time can be interpreted as belonging to someone who is aloof or disconnected from their industry. Thoughtful tweets and regular participation in LinkedIn groups are opportunities to catch the attention of hiring managers and show them a bit about yourself.
For more on building your best online brand, check out the following CAC resources:
Upcoming Webinar
Disclosure, Privacy and Online Brand
Articles
“Building and Protecting Your Online Image”
“Online Reputation Management”
“Cancer and Careers’ Guide to LinkedIn”