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Get social: How to network on the web

Written by: Allison Webster - StarMetroland Media
Published on: Jul 3, 2019

When was the last time you dropped off a paper resume? High school? Most job searches and subsequent applications are completed online now. This means that our online personas matter. They’re being judged, not just by your friends and peers, but by potential employers and mentors. And even if you haven’t applied for a job, there might be a person out there – lurking your profiles – who could be a valuable resource for you.

While it’s true that some social media platforms are mainly for friends and fun, there are some which can be used for career advancement purposes. Sure, you might meet the right person at a party who can mentor you, introduce you to the right people at the right time, and usher you towards success, but do you have time to attend networking events? If job searching, applying and even some interviewing happening online, it makes sense that networking does, as well.

Social networking is not a new sensation – the platform LinkedIn was developed for this sole purpose in 2002 (though it didn’t gain mainstream success until about 2011). Its popularity has led other platforms to branch out to cater to corporate climbers, job seekers, entrepreneurs and innovators, as well.

Networking online is great, but as we know, social media can be a bit like the wild west in terms of content. If you’re not discerning, you can easily fall for anything.

Here are some tips for social networking:

1)    Think of yourself as a brand and market that brand

Even if you don’t own or operate a business, you can still develop a personal brand. When you look at your values, skills and experience, you can probably figure out where you fit in. When you do seek out likeminded people and companies, they will be able to easily see how you align. Credentials matter, but being the right fit can be a deciding factor too. Take, for example, your profile picture. Try to use the same photo for all your professional social media accounts (the platforms where you expect to network).

What photo you choose to put out there will represent your personal brand. If you choose a serious headshot photo of you in a suit or business attire, in front of a neutral background, you are letting people know that you are a serious person with serious ambitions. Perhaps you work in finance, law or business. If you choose a more candid portrait, with a colourful background and a natural smile, you’re probably interested in more creative work and/or want to show that you are fun and lighthearted.

2)    Join online groups

Facebook and LinkedIn have the built-in capability to create and manage topic-specific groups. They can be either open or by invite-only. Look for industry-specific groups that are local. This means you will be able to network with people in your own geographical area, so it will be more relevant. You can find groups for “young professionals,” “entrepreneurs,” or specific industry professionals.

Don’t just join these groups but socialize in them. Don’t be a fly on the wall! Introduce yourself and give other users a brief profile of your professional accomplishments and ambitions. Comment on other people’s posts – and not in a negative way. Ask questions, be open to learning and teaching. Networking isn’t about bulldozing others to get what you want. It’s about helping each other. Everyone has unique skills, talents and insights worth sharing. It’s a give and take.

3)    Hide or delete old, shameful content

If you’ve been using the same social media accounts since your teens or early 20s, you probably have some content live that doesn’t reflect your current lifestyle and values. While erasing your past life might feel wrong, you need to decide what’s worth keeping and what can go.

On Facebook, you can set some photo albums to private – that can be viewed only by you or select friends. As for written posts on Facebook or Twitter, if it’s something you wouldn’t comfortably say today, and you no longer stand by these words, delete them. You don’t want this stuff showing up later to haunt you.

Once you invite strangers into your obit for the sake of career advice and advancement, you need to clean house to make sure you’re showing off the best of you – not your embarrassing past.

That said, you still need to be authentic. Don’t lie or embellish. Networking is about presenting your skills, but also admitting where you could use improvements. Your strengths could be someone else’s weakness, so you can help each other.

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