Suit up your Social Media - Put your Social Media To A Better Use IM HIRED

Suit up your Social Media - Put your Social Media To A Better Use What do you use social media for?   What do you use social media for?   With the average social media user spending approximately 1 hour 56 minutes glued to the screen a day and there being a staggering 2.46 billion users signed in worldwide. There are a lot of benefits to being part of this community. However, most of us are just liking videos of piano playing cats or tagging our friends in embarrassing pictures but have you ever considered putting your Facebook, Instagram or even Snapchat account to a better use? Used in the right way your phone and your social media account can get you #hired. Not convinced yet. Well in 2016 84% of employers used social media to recruit, so can you really afford not to suit up your social media. The list of social media platforms is endless so where do you begin when looking for that next role. The first thing to remember is its called social media because its social. The whole world can login and see what you are uploading, liking or checking into so be mindful about what you would want a potential employer to see. Bad day at work? We all like a rant  but keep it to moaning to your partner over dinner or calling your friends for an hour long gossip session  dont do it online. However, bad the day or the boss it doesnt look professional to explode on social media. Firstly your status could lose you your job (I know the whole point of this blog is so you can leave your current job but no one wants to be Alan Sugar Fired.)  Secondly if youre on the market for a new role, your potential employer isnt going to be impressed by your public outburst. But beware it is more than just discussing your employer online that can come back to bite you even your personal opinions can get you in trouble, so stop and think would you say that in front of your gran? If not lets not post it! Private Profile Most platforms will allow you to make your profile private which is a good idea if you like a drunken picture on a night out (or worse on a school night.) Or  if you have the type of friends who will always tag you in the worst things. So consider changing your settings so you can control what you potential employers can see. (and as an added bonus it will probably stop some of those random friend requests.) Linkedin If youve never heard of Linkedin it is basically a professional version of Facebook and how have you have not heard of it; where have you been! With half a billion users it is impossible to hide from the fact that they are a giant in the recruitment industry. So if you want to get noticed then you need to set yourself an account and get yourself connected. Linkedin gives you an opportunity like no other platform. Have you seen a job advertised? Well where else could you connect with the recruiter and hiring manager prior to even getting an interview. Build yourself a network and use your connections to help you to find that perfect career. Whether through posting, sharing articles or joining groups to showcase your skills and passions. Like a CV you need to be detailed in your profile and why not ask your previous colleagues to endorse you or even write a testimonial about your experiences. Its just as important to sell yourself online as in your interview. But if someone in your industry can back you up, that will really help push you forward. Follow, Connect and Get Involved In the digital age, youd be far stretched to find any employer who isnt advertising their company online. So if you really want to work for a particular company then follow and engage with them on social media; show you are enthusiastic about them as a company (not just blindly applying for any role.) Whether that be liking their posts or even commenting on their blogs or articles. By being vocal online (in the right way that is) the employer will come to you and be just as excited to talk to you as vice versa. Always remember that social media platforms are public so display the best version of you and make everything else private. If you are searching for jobs online then the employer is most likely going to look back on your profile so as you would dress up for an interview. Suit up your profile!