Contact Mandy Pulido for Career Support at ajpulido2@utep.edu
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Purpose of Social Media:
- Helps you build your brand in your control
- Increase team and sport awareness
- Gain fans who are engaged
- Helps with recruiting and sponsorships
Reflect on Your Social Media:
Ask yourself:
- Does it reflect what you represent?
- Does it support your purpose?
- Who do you follow and does it support you?
- What/how are you commenting on other's posts?
Major Tips:
- Set your account to public after you have adjusted to match your brand and intention
- Post photos, stories, and reels dedicated to your future profession and highlight your successes (industry or athletic)
- Follow other athletes, coaches, employers, teams and companies
- ENGAGE with your followers and who you are following
How to Write Your Best Social Media Bio
How to Leverage Social Media for Better Career Opportunities
Create an Online Presence:
Employers want you to be on social media. “According to a CareerBuilder survey from 2017, around 70 percent of polled employers screen a candidate’s social media accounts before bringing them in for an interview. That same poll also found that over 50 percent of employers found candidates with no social footprint problematic,” according to this New York Times article.
LinkedIn:
- Once you have the basics, you can optimize your LinkedIn profile for career opportunities.
- Treat your profile like an online resume: Add your work history, education, volunteer experiences, and areas of expertise.
- Create a unique URL which you can include on your business card.
- Update your profile with your latest certifications.
- Write an “About” section that includes industry terms.
- Check LinkedIn at least once a week so you can accept invitations from other professionals who want to connect with you.
- Include links to your Twitter profile and website.
- Now that you have a polished profile, use LinkedIn to make valuable connections. For example, you can join groups that are specific to your industry, Prado says.
Twitter:
- Remember that high-quality, professional photo you uploaded for your LinkedIn profile? Use the same one for your Twitter. A consistent photo across all platforms will help people connect your name to your face.
- Write your bio. That can be tricky in such a small space, but these templates will help you make the most of your 160 characters.
- Follow thought leaders in your field. Comment on their tweets and retweet them.
- Contribute to the conversation by posting articles and commentary about your industry.
- Share personal (but appropriate) content, such as a photo of your recent graduation.
- Don’t forget to include links to your LinkedIn profile and website.
Your Personal Website:
- Some employers will request your website URL when you apply for a job, which means it’s essential to have a site that’s up and running. Plus, a website gives you a competitive edge: It helps you showcase your work, tell your story, and build your brand. You’ll find it easy to create one on WordPress.
Avoid Posting Inappropriate Content:
- Before you post something, ask yourself how you’d feel if a potential employer saw it. Even if your account is private, you don't know who a recruiter knows.
- Posting provocative or inappropriate photographs, videos or information
- Posting information about themselves drinking, or using drugs
- Posting discriminatory comments related to race, gender, or religion
- Bad-mouthing a previous company or fellow employee
- Lying about qualifications
- Displaying poor communication skills
- Linking themselves to criminal behavior
- Sharing confidential information from previous employers
- Posting an unprofessional screen name
- Lying about an absence
- Posting too frequently
Find Jobs Using Social Media:
- On Twitter, follow job search hashtags like #JobListing or #JobOpening, search for hashtags that are specific to a brand, a company, or your field (such as #MediaJobs).
- Identify companies that interest you, follow their profiles, and engage with their content.
- If you’re interested in a company, look at their employees’ LinkedIn profiles to see if you have any connections. “When reaching out to new people, introduce yourself and explain you are interested in learning more about the contact's position and company and ask for an informational call or meeting.
Research Companies Using Social Media:
- Look at your interviewers’ profiles before you meet them. Do you have a common interest, a mutual friend, or a shared professional association? Try to find a point of connection that you can bring up in the interview. They’ll be impressed that you did your research.
- Explore the company’s social presence to get a sense of its culture and look at the posts and how the company responds to questions or comments.”
- Read reviews on sites like Glassdoor. If you notice the company gets bad feedback about a certain issue – like a micromanaging supervisor – you can make a note to discreetly ask about this during your interview.
Use Social Media to Expand Your Knowledge:
- You have access to so take advantage of the resources shared by your colleagues and make yourself a more well-rounded, well-informed candidate.