So what is all this hoopla behind creating an online presence to help out your career? Can’t you just sit back and rely on traditional networking when job hunting, searching for client leads or establishing your business?
Unfortunately, for those opposed to anything social media-related, its not just here for its fifteen minutes of fame. Social media has revolutionized the way consumers communicate and has created a brand new outlet for businesses to reach out to their key audiences.
Simply put: Social media is here to stay and has drastically changed the way workers and companies function.
According to a 2011 Socialnomics report, 80 percent of companies today use social media for their recruiting efforts. So chances are, if you are looking for employment and are currently applying to companies, recruiters or HR personnel will be looking you up on the web to determine whether to invite your for an interview or offer you a job. Everything from the pictures at your best friend’s bachelor party to the quality of your tweets is fair game. So, do yourself a favor and take your professional brand seriously!
From an individual standpoint, social media gives you a chance to market yourself based on your profession and experience. You can bet that recruiters and soon-to-be colleagues will scan around to see where you have worked, who you know and how passionate you are about your job. Maintaining an online reputation gives you the chance to shape others perceptions of you. From the things you tweet, to how developed your LinkedIn page is, you have a significant amount of control over how you are portrayed.
Even if you are not looking to be an industry expert, showcasing your professional work, work history and expertise will suffice to have a favorable professional reputation. Today, an online reputation and presence humanizes you and helps in building connections. Regardless of whether you are looking for a job or are already employed, building your professional network will come in handy at some point.
From new business leads to opportunities to speak at industry conferences, having a strong online presence can open many doors for working professionals. Having an online reputation and visibility makes it easier for people to reach out to you. Whether they are seeking advice or want to connect with you and your company on a business end, creating professional transparency can help advance your career in many ways.
Where are you most active online? How have you branded yourself on various websites and social networks?
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