Your personal brand sums up who you are and what you offer in a professional setting. It says a lot about you – but do you know how to effectively control, alter, and direct that message?
The explosion of social media networks in recent years have made personal branding easier than ever, but social media has also made it easier to miss or to damage opportunities to build a strong, consistent social brand. Seizing control of your social media presence gives you the tools to build a professional image online, which can bolster your image in face-to-face interviews and protect your professional reputation.
Maintaining Your Professional Image Online
To maintain your professional image and brand, know where your social media accounts are and what they say about you. You can do this by making use of privacy controls and settings on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and similar sites.
Also, run your own name – including maiden names, former names, or nicknames – through a major search engine such as Google to see what appears. While you can’t always eliminate bad search engine results, you can ask the proprietors of those sites to take the information down, and you can bury bad information under good by starting a blog or becoming more active on sites like LinkedIn, which specialize in connecting career professionals.
Connecting With Employers
Job-seekers aren’t the only ones who rely on social media to get their messages across. Employers also use sites like LinkedIn and Facebook to post job openings, connect with candidates, and keep their finger on the pulse of their respective industries.
Once you’ve cleaned up and “professionalized” your online social media profiles so that they reflect the personal brand you want potential employers to see, it’s time to start reaching out to companies and professionals with whom you want to work. Join message boards and groups on LinkedIn and other sites, and keep your contributions professional, focused, and on task. These social media tools offer a great way to expand your network and catch the eye of potential employers while learning more about your own career field.
At ABA Search & Staffing, we combine specialized recruiting expertise with personalized service to help you find the position that’s right for you. Have further questions on how we can assist you in your job search? Contact us today to learn more.