How to Build a Great Social Media Presence

If you want to score your dream job and get ahead in your career, curating your online presence is critical. This is especially important for job seekers who are out there competing in an overcrowded job market. 

But doesn’t matter whether you already have a job or are busy applying for new ones. A solid social media presence will help create business relationships, make a better impression, and push your career forward. So, how do you create a perfect online presence? Here are a few tips to get you started.

Manage your social media accounts

Don’t forget that whatever you post online can never be truly forgotten. That’s why you should think twice before posting anything. In fact, before doing that, consider what anyone else would see when they start looking for you online. 

Take down all of your problematic posts. Don’t share pictures that show you intoxicated or in embarrassing situations. Remove them all and follow the social media etiquette. The general rule is that if you wouldn’t want your grandmother to see it, don’t post it. 

If you’re still not sure what to remove from your social media profile, take advantage of the privacy features available in practically all of the social networks. For example, Facebook offers various levels of protection you can choose from to protect yourself.

Create and grow your LinkedIn profile

This is the best social network out there for professionals and businesses. Crafting a profile on LinkedIn is the best way to build your online resume, get noticed by recruiters, and engage with other people in your industry. 

Build at an attractive online profile that highlights all of the skills that are essential in today’s job market. It’s likely that employers will stumble upon LinkedIn profile when they begin searching for you online – the platform is positioned very high in Google search. 

On the profile page, you can display your work experience, affiliation, education, and contact information. It works like a resume. Moreover, you can give and receive recommendations or share your thoughts in statuses or longer articles – make sure to take advantage of that and share some inspiring content. 

Expert tip: To polish your LinkedIn profile, fill it with critical keywords that attract HR people and recruiters looking for someone doing the job you want to do. 

Consider the search results

Whenever an employer starts researching candidates online, they’re bound to find you. What happens if you have a common last name, such as Smith or Johnson? 

You can differentiate yourself by taking one of those steps:

• Try different versions of your name. For example, instead of John Smith, use your middle name, or even just your middle initial. 
• If it feels natural to you, consider using your initials – they might attract the attention of recruiters. 
• Whichever variant of your name you pick, remain consistent and use it across all of your online profiles. 
• Also, make it easy for employers to find you by getting a profile on all major social networks. In some roles like marketing, not having any of these accounts raises a flag.

Get a professional headshot

To stand out from the crowd, start with your profile image. A low-resolution shot isn’t going to help you build a strong professional brand—an expert headshot taken with high-quality camera will. 

Your profile image sets the tone for a prospective employer and shows that you’re aware of the impact it has on your reputation. Just like you wouldn’t attend a professional interview wearing shorts, don’t compete in the job market with a picture taken with a smartphone in fluorescent lighting.

Get a personal website or blog

Having a blog or website related to your career interests is a great way to show off your expertise, knowledge, and credentials. You can share helpful information on what you have to offer and include links to all of your online social profiles. 

Make sure to write a great About me section and fill the site with plenty of valuable insights. It’s going to make a big difference in your job search. If you’re wondering how to create an attractive site, check out some recent trends in web design – here are the top 5 of 2019.

Find your niche

By identifying your niche and building the skills it requires, you will become a sought-after employee with the most relevant expertise. No one else has your values, experiences, and personality. These are all unique aspects of you as a professional, so don’t be afraid of sharing and combining them with your skills to build a connection with people. You can use all of your online outlets to tell your story, which is unique but still relatable. Find your angle and then position yourself as an expert in your sector that the audience (recruiters or employers) need. 

We hope these tips help you to curate your online presence and achieve the best results, whether it’s landing your dream job or growing your carrier in the right direction.