Social Media and Employability
In this day in age, social media is being used by many different people to do many different things. From senior citizens doing TikTok dances to kids starting their own businesses, there seems to be something for everyone!
When it comes to what you put on the internet, it is always important to be mindful of what you post. As many of us know, employers will often look up candidates on social media when considering them for a job. This is one of their first impressions of you so what is posted on there is important. You never want your social media to be the thing that is standing in the way of you reaching your goals.
However, this does not mean that you have to shy away from being yourself online. While social media has the potential to hinder your employability, if used the correct way, you can actually use it to enhance your employability!
Posting Content
Posting on social media is a great form of self expression and what you post should be a reflection of who you are. You should always make sure that the version of yourself that you share online is the version of yourself that you are okay with presenting to the professional world.
You want to make sure that your social media does not connect you to anything negative such as illegal, derogatory, or violent activities. You should also never post negative comments about anyone, especially a company or previous employer, as this will raise red flags for future employers looking to hire you.
Even if your account is private, it is good to be mindful of what non-followers can see. This usually includes your username, profile picture, and anything you put in your bio.
When it comes to employability, it is important to make sure your social media activity does not hurt your chances of making a good impression. However, it is not just about what NOT to post, but also what TO post. If you want to use your social media to enhance your employability, consider posting content that highlights:
Any positive experiences that you have had such as a trip, volunteering, or participating in an appropriate extracurricular activity
Awards and achievements that you have earned
Your unique interests and hobbies
Opportunities or events happening in your local community
These types of posts will give employers a sense of who you are and what you are passionate about. Social media is a great way to become visible to others, so it is always good to make sure you are visible to the right people and for the right reasons.
Networking
For most of us, the main benefit of social media is being able to easily connect with others. In recent years, social media is becoming a common way for people to network within the professional world. Whether you are actively searching for a job or interested in learning about a particular topic, platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook are great tools to build connections within a field of your interest. For example, if you are considering enrolling in a university program, you can reach out to someone who has a degree in that program to ask for advice. This method of communication is a great way to learn from experienced individuals who you might not have contact with otherwise. You can also use your own experiences to assist others, which helps to further develop professional relationships.
Social media is a great way (and for some, the only way) for us to learn about what is happening in the world around us. Many companies use it as a marketing strategy to promote what they do, so it is easy to find out about new opportunities. You can follow pages and join groups that you are interested in and stay connected with your community, Using social media as a resource to learn about relevant opportunities is a great way to make sure that you are using it responsibly.
Learning
While the world adapts to having this new technology, we may feel that social media is only used for fun and not to be productive. While it is important to manage your screen time wisely, spending time on social media does not always have to be impractical.
There are more and more jobs today that require employees to be digitally literate and being comfortable using different social media platforms can be a significant asset. You can practice being an informed consumer by learning how to use different apps and paying attention t what kind of content is used on each platform. Keeping up to date with certain trends can help you have a good understanding of how to best connect with an audience. You can develop hard skills such as proficiency with particular apps and practice soft skills such as communication and creativity. So, the next time you are scrolling through your phone, think about how this could help you build upon your skill set!
- Sophie Ashton, Co-op student