In a world where almost everything is becoming digital, it’s important to build and maintain your brand to stand out from the crowd. Creating a positive image of yourself is essential, as employers can now just simply “google” you which could make or break you. Here are some ways you can slowly build your online presence.
LinkedIn is one of the biggest professional social media networks that everyone needs to have, since it’s basically your online resume. A professional headshot is recommended since many recruiters tend to look at this when interesting in prospective candidates. The great thing about LinkedIn that’s different from a resume is that it’s not limited to one page, so you can post all of your positions and achievements, and add much more detail than you would on a typical resume. LinkedIn is also a great way to search for people who work in a field or company you’re interested in so you can what experiences led them to it, and many of them are willing to share their advice with you.
Social Media
This one can be tricky, so we’ll focus on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. It is extremely important to be careful what you post on these sites, which many college students make the mistake of not doing. Avoid posting inappropriate pictures or content, which if an employer sees, can immediately eliminate you as a candidate. However, do see this as an opportunity to show your personality and expand on your professional aspirations and interests.
Blogs
Creating a blog can be a great way for you to build your online presence, because you’re the one who controls the design and content. You can create a site that’s solely for blogging or you could incorporate it into a website you build. There’s a ton of free platforms you can use such as WordPress, Wix, and Squarespace. Many of these platforms are super user-friendly and provide you with many designs and features. This is a way to show employers your personality by elaborating more on what you do in school, adding appropriate pictures, including your hobbies and background, and you can also connect it to your LinkedIn and other social media networks. Make sure that you still keep this site professional, and don’t make posts about controversial topics like politics and religion, and don’t post personal information like your address and phone number. You can also include your blog URL on your resume so can employers can learn more about you after meeting you!
Article by Farrah A.