Social media isn’t just for marketing a product or business. If you aren’t using it to market yourself, you may want to think again.
Facebook began as a social space where you could let your hair down, post wild pictures and share updates with friends on your weekend shenanigans.
They are looking first and foremost for marketers who are passionate about creating content on the Web.
Today, marketers and companies have caught on and now it’s changed you’re the way you job prospect and the way your potential employers learn about you – all of you.
Big Brother is watching and now when you apply for a position, they can see what you’re really about through your Facebook and other social media channels. You know, the questions they don’t ask in the interview.
CEO’s and upper management are being encouraged to ignore the resume for senior-level positions, and go to Google for the ‘Google test’ to eliminate potential candidates. The problem is, it usually eliminates most of the candidates.
Why?
Because they weren’t utilizing their social networks to market themselves so how can a potential employer have faith that they would know how to market a brand?
What this CEO and other professionals are looking for is talent that doesn’t just talk the talk – they walk the walk. They aren’t simply managers or producers, they are ‘doers’. They are looking first and foremost for marketers who are passionate about creating content on the Web.
What’s your social media ‘record’ and is it safe viewing?
While this is sage advice, it’s also important to remember that all the information you put out onto the web lives for a very long time – if not forever.
So while you want to show your potential employers that you are capable of utilizing social media to build strong networks and dispense useful and relevant content, you’ll also want to want make sure that you have a ‘clean record’.
You have to talk the talk and walk the walk to show your potential employer that you can market yourself first and then maybe they’ll give you a shot at marketing their brand.
Everyone knows that Facebook is a great place to share pictures of fun times – party times and even some strong personal opinions on current events, movies, etc. but you may want to review the content on your personal networks to scan for any harsh or less than appropriate comments or images.
Remember that employers can find your information just as easily as anyone else so if you want to be taken seriously as a potential candidate for a position, you may not want to post any over the top party pictures or commentary on your social media networks.
It may not seem fair but it is a reality that first impressions are lasting and if this is where a potential employer first comes into contact you; you may not even have a shot at a first meeting.
Some comments and imagery to stay away from on your pages:
- Negative or derogatory comments about current or past employers
- Slanderous comments about friends, celebrities, politicians, etc.
- Images of yourself imbibing to the point of excess
- Foul and inappropriate language
So what’s the lesson? If you want to increase your chances of getting hired as a marketer, you need to be successful on your social networks. You have to talk the talk and walk the walk to show your potential employer that you can market yourself first and then maybe they’ll give you a shot at marketing their brand.