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Your resume might be ship-shape. Your interview game might be on point. But have you been sloppy with your social media profiles?

Inappropriate comments, bad grammar or even sporadic updates on social media can sink your chances of landing that dream job. So before you begin your job search in earnest, make sure you’ve taken a few steps to get social media to work for you – rather than against you.

Show off who you are

Your personality and your enthusiasm for your field can come through on social media, based on the kinds of things you share and comment on.

For instance, if you’re a professional in the tech space, organizations want to see you posting and commenting on the most recent devices, software and systems coming out. Someone who’s sharing and discussing these kinds of topics on social media obviously has a passion for IT.

Build your network and followers

Posting and discussing has another effect; it helps to grow your network and your followers. But don’t just grow your network blindly. When connecting with folks, try to emphasize other people who are also in your industry.

Building a substantial network not only looks great, employers will also see it a resource and even a business asset. For instance, if you are looking for help with a problem, an expansive social network can help crowdsource a solution. Or, if your company is launching a PR campaign, employees’ social media connections can be used to circulate information.

Show you are qualified

Even though your resume says you have a particular experience and skills, employers may want to do a little digging to check out your claims.

When they access social media, employers can see if your LinkedIn profile information fits with the information you have on your resume. Since your LinkedIn connections often include people from past employers, companies know it’s harder to fabricate skills and experience. Organizations looking to hire you can also check to see if there are any recommendations your prior boss, clients or co-workers have left that can offer information on your professional character.

Show you are professional

All the skills and qualifications in the world do not matter if you can’t carry yourself professionally. Your social media profiles can show off how you carry yourself in the digital world and interact with others.

To a prospective employer, a person’s social profiles can offer hints of how well they might work with others, and whether or not they will fit into the company’s culture.

Avoid posting anything overtly negative, and always check your writing for misspellings and poor grammar.

At Cornerstone, we regularly work with our job candidates to make sure they’re prepared for every step in the job search process. If you need assistance with your job search, feel free to contact us today!


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