If you think today’s job market is competitive, you nailed it.
In a day and age when countless people are not only looking for work but also searching for better opportunities than they currently have, competition can prove fierce in numerous fields. As a result, it is important that you have your resume as polished as possible.
Not only is your resume important, but so too is your online profile. Without a solid online profile, you could be flirting with disaster, disaster that could leave you treading water in terms of finding an ideal job.
As more employers turn to the Internet these days to gather information on prospective candidates, it is important you don’t have any red flags sticking out.
With that in mind, are you ready to advance your career online?
Grow Your Personal Brand via the Internet
In order to give yourself a better shot at securing the job you want, keep these pointers in mind:
- Social media profiles – Having a strong social media presence backing you up is becoming more and more important in the digital age. For example, if you do not know how to write a great LinkedIn profile, you could already put yourself behind the eight ball. If you’re in need of assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to those best suited to assist you. Turning to a professional resume writing service is a great start. Professionals can help you not only mold a winning resume, but they can assist you with your social media needs. In the end, you should have positive social media profiles (see more below) on a number of sites. LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter etc. are just some of those to speak of;
- Avoiding online gaffes – Having a social media presence is important, but you want a positive one to say the least. For instance, trashing a current or former employer and/or co-worker on Facebook or other such sites can be a disaster. Not only does it make you look bad, but it can lead to others spreading negative words about you. When all is said and done, your online reputation could be in shambles. Never make negative remarks about others on social sites, especially those you presently or formerly worked with.
Image Means so Much
- Image and Images – Just as your personal image matters, so too do the images you end up posting online, be they on social media or your own website. While it is perfectly fine to have fun in life, posting questionable images and/or videos can be perceived in a negative manner by potential employers. As a result, as great as your resume may be, the wrong image could abound regarding you. Whenever in doubt, play it safe;
- Always network – One of the great things about the Internet is the ability it gives you to network. That said take advantage of those opportunities as often as possible. For example, using LinkedIn to network with other professionals can only help you. With that being the case, make sure your LinkedIn profile is updated regularly, providing others with your latest career details. For those helping to promote you, be kind and do the same in return;
- Review regularly – Finally, be sure to review your online profile (including social media efforts) on a regular basis. One of the things that can hurt you is looking like you’re not in-tune with today’s social media world. While you do not have to be a social media junkie, you should use it fairly regularly. Doing so also adds to the perception of your social media skills, something more and more employers are looking for these days.
Advancing your career online essentially means not only being competent at how to use the Internet, but also how not to use it.
If you are job hunting, how are you using the Internet (especially social media) to advance your opportunities with employers?