Making Social Networking Work for You!
Today’s college student has a different method of communicating—especially when it comes to online social networking. Electronic communications never go away and can follow you for life, so be aware of the potential problems you can create for yourself if your communications become public at some point in your life. We want to help you communicate wisely, safely, and with professionalism. Use your tech-savvy skills to your advantage. Career TV offers some helpful tips to make your social networking pages work for you:
- Market yourself—select your profile information carefully and think about what employers are looking for in their new hires. Showcase your leadership and campus activities (i.e., student organizations, athletics, fundraising, community service)
- Pay attention to your language/wording—use spell check and make sure that you show a high level of written communication skills
- Think long term—your Facebook page is not an isolated site. Make sure that the pictures and language on your profile as well as those connected through your friends present a positive image
- Be smart—use the appropriate privacy settings if you do not want people other than your friends to view your profile
Legal issues/questions:
Q: Is it legal for an employer not to hire me based on what I post on a social networking site?
A: It is only illegal if it is a violation of a federal or state discrimination law such as discriminating based on race, gender, religion, or another protected category.
Q: Is it not my right to use free speech on my personal profile?
A: While you do have the freedom of speech, you also have to be willing to accept the consequences of your speech. If you choose to put out a questionable image or type of message on Facebook, the employer can also choose to make decisions based on that information.
What else is out there, and how can I use it?
Please see the following links to different articles related to using social networking as a tool in your job search. Also,take some time to watch the video segment above from CareerTV to hear from employers, educators, and students on how to make social networking work for you!
Using LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to Job Search
From Guest Author Rachel Levy, for About.com