Imagine being a college senior frantically searching for a job after graduation. After spending hours crafting résumés and cover letters, you receive no response. Individuals often overlook the importance of a social media presence such as LinkedIn. A personal brand on social media reflects an individual and promotes networking.
Cover letters and résumés are not the only part of job applications. To really stand out, an individual must build an online presence. A social media profile is a reflection of a person’s personal brand. Recruiters get to know an individual through social media platforms like LinkedIn. Omar Garriott discusses LinkedIn strategies to get hired in the article "10 LinkedIn Tips for Students & New Grads". Approximately, 90 percent of companies use LinkedIn to hire individuals. LinkedIn is used to show off a personal brand. A LinkedIn profile can include a professional profile picture, a headline, and summary statement. Individuals should incorporate information about work experience, volunteer work, study abroad, and achievements. The goal is to stand out next to other candidates by showing recruiters personal achievements through work samples, recommendations, and concise descriptions. LinkedIn functions as a résumé, portfolio, cover letter, and recommendation all in one platform.
By actively posting and updating a social media profile, an individual stays current. Over time the qualities coveted by recruiters can shift. In recent years, a drastic shift toward the digital world has occurred. In a 2021 LinkedIn study, digital marketing was one of the top skills recruiters desired. Similarly, artificial intelligence is in the top five skills found in a LinkedIn 2019 study. Adding coveted hard skills to a LinkedIn profile upgrades a personal brand. Actively improving a personal brand and profile can make an individual become an advantageous applicant or employee.
When forming a network through social media, choose connections wisely. Garriott further discusses the importance of networking. LinkedIn is a growing social media platform full of potential connections. In the beginning, the quality of connections outweighs the number of connections. Individuals new to LinkedIn should focus on connecting to classmates, professors, family, friends, and coworkers. As time progresses, an individual's connections will expand and overlap. To connect to not well-known individuals, sending a personalized message can be the best way to gain the connection. After gaining a substantial amount of connections, job hunting becomes easier. 80 percent of obtainable jobs are not promoted. Job seekers can learn about work positions through their network. Networking through social media platforms is rewarding.
Developing a personal brand through social media expresses an individual, actively changes, and forms connections. A social media profile incorporates qualities of an individual, such as work ethic. Actively updating a social media account and skill set creates an up to date personal brand. Create quality connections that can be beneficial in future endeavors. Using social media to promote a personal brand is beneficial.
References:
Garriott, Omar. “10 LinkedIn Tips For Students & New Grads.” LinkedIn, 20 Nov. 2021, https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/10-tips-students-new-grads-linkedin-omar-garriott/.
“Get Hired This Year: 2021's Fastest-Growing Jobs, and the Skills You Need To Get Them.” LinkedIn Pressroom, 12 Jan. 2021, https://news.linkedin.com/2021/january/jobs-on-the-rise-2021.
Petrone, Paul. “The Skills Companies Need Most In 2019 – and How to Learn Them.” LinkedIn, 31 Dec. 2018, https://www.linkedin.com/business/learning/blog/top-skills-and-courses/the-skills-companies-need-most-in-2019-and-how-to-learn-them.
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