In today’s connected world, social media profiles have become an integral part of career growth. It’s not just about sharing updates or keeping up with posting; it’s about strategic personal marketing and networking. Leveraging various platforms, professionals can showcase their skills and career goals, build a brand presence, and connect with industry leaders. This digital networking has transformed how professionals interact and advance in their careers, making social media an indispensable asset today.
But do you know the ins and outs of social media? Whether you are looking to expand your network, find a new job, or drive traffic to your business website, here’s what you need to know about the top social media platforms.
Don’t just talk. Listen & learn too.
Posting on social media is a great way to discover new ideas and trends, engage audiences, and expand your knowledge base. But more importantly, employers are using social media as well. A 2018 CareerBuilder survey revealed that 70% of employers look at applicant profiles during their screening process, while 54% have rejected candidates because of what they’ve found.
With that in mind, here are some ways social media can help any business professional.
- Building your network. When creating your network, it’s important to find and connect with relevant professionals in your industry. The goal is to make connections with people you’re familiar with, those you’d love to get to know, and those you should know. You can also share your insights and expertise by posting original content regularly.
- Influencing and expanding your network. Once you have the beginnings of an online network, it’s time to expand it as much as possible. For example, use the recommendation features on LinkedIn for past co-workers or freelancers you’ve hired. On Twitter, follow thought and industry leaders in your field. Comment on their tweets or retweet them, and share your thoughts on important topics. (Don’t forget to include links to your LinkedIn profile and website.)
- Job Hunting. LinkedIn is particularly helpful for job hunting, because it’s specifically designed for professional social networking. So spend time learning the features that let you drill down into networks of people, companies, and job postings. It’s also important to treat your profile like an online resume and create a unique URL which you can include on your business card.
- Growing a Business. Depending on your business, some platforms will be more useful than others. For example, LinkedIn is great for B2B companies looking to connect with leads or B2C companies looking to connect with others in their industry. But if you’re in a creative field, platforms such as Facebook and Instagram are popular places for visual content, influencers, and ecommerce. And if your product or business skews toward a young demographic, Tik Tok and Snapchat are good choices for creating short form content.
I’ll take this opportunity
Before you start using social media, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, social media is constantly changing, so it’s important to stay current with platforms as they evolve. Second, if you are working for a company, be aware of your company’s social media policies as corporations are increasingly instituting or updating their guidelines.
I’m Jonathan Destler, and as Founder and Head of Corporate Development for Opti-Harvest, I’d love for you to be a part of our exciting journey. Connect with me on LinkedIn to learn more about what we do, and be sure to follow Opti-Harvest on Instagram. Also, check out my social media profiles to stay updated on our latest news!