Whether looking for a new job or aiming to be successful in your current one, having a strong online brand is key. These days, it’s one of the primary ways people showcase themselves, their work experience and their talents. And for anyone who is hoping to switch careers post-cancer or take the focus off of a gap in their work history, it can be especially useful as a way to demonstrate activity and knowledge beyond what’s on their resume. 

But, according to an article in The Muse, in order for your social media presence to really be of value, it needs to be both visible and credible. Their article “5 Easy Ways You Can Boost Your Social Media Presence and Make Yourself Look More Credible” offers helpful steps for keeping your online brand active and engaged. Below is a brief recap.

• Complete your social profiles: Regardless of which social media network(s) you use, the more complete your profile is on each, the more effective it will be. LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and the others all offer their own features, which you can use to promote yourself and your achievements; “to establish a compelling presence…make sure to leverage the advantages of each.”
• Include links to your work samples: One of those “advantages” is the option to link to examples of prior work as a way to prove what you’re capable of. If you’re a copywriter, link to an ad/article you wrote. If you’re a camera operator, show a clip from a video you worked on.
• Use LinkedIn’s recommendations: A great feature offered by LinkedIn is the ability to have colleagues and vendors write recommendations on your behalf. As The Muse says, “these reviews instantly add credibility to your portfolio.”
• Add social links to your email signatures: More and more people now include links to their social media handles in their email signatures. Doing so is an excellent way to show that you’re active on social media and to take ownership of your personal brand.
• Be engaging: While it may sound obvious, you need to engage frequently in social media in order to establish yourself in the online space to begin with. If no one knows you’re there, you can’t create a solid presence or develop a robust following.

Ultimately, you want to think of social networks as “today’s version of the informational interview” — i.e., an extremely effective way for potential (and existing) employers to learn more about you. So use each platform thoughtfully, strategically and to their fullest potential — and watch your brand flourish.

To read the entire Muse article, click here.

For help creating a strong LinkedIn profile, check out our “Guide to LinkedIn.” 

And be sure to watch our archived Balancing Work & Cancer Webinar on “Disclosure, Privacy & Online Brand.”