COLUMN: Make social sites employer-friendly
The importance of managing your digital identity is more essential now than ever before. A statistic from Career Services states 90 percent of potential employers are now looking at an applicant’s professional and social media sites, including Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. This means that the employers you are trying to impress could see pictures of you streaking down 800 East with a beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other. This could leave them thinking, “Is this person a good fit for our company?”
We all know what the answer to that question will probably be. This is why managing your digital identity by monitoring your security settings, scanning your accounts for inappropriate pictures, or posting and writing attractive descriptions about yourself is critical. Think of your professional and social media accounts as a glass bedroom. When someone looks into that bedroom, what do you want them to see?
While some look at this as an invasion of privacy, others are using it to their advantage and standing out from the crowd. Today, a simple paper resume might not cut it in this evolving technological workplace. Luckily, there is the Internet to help. With the rise of online resumes, video resumes and professional online profiles, there are many opportunities for you to have an immediate advantage over your peers in the competitive job-seeking world.
Think about a human resources department looking through hundreds of papers and resumes trying to find a fit for a specific job. What can a piece of paper really tell about you? It tells your schooling, experience, talents and interests but leaves out many aspects that could possibly be the most important parts. A paper resume doesn’t show your personality, prove that you are a confident communicator or demonstrate that you will fit in at a specific company. This is why an online video resume could benefit you more than a sheet of paper could.
Many people link recorded videos to their social and professional media sites that highlight their skills. Imagine stepping into an elevator with the CEO of a company you would like to work for. You have 30 seconds to sell yourself and tell them how you will be an asset to their company. What will you say? This is what needs to be in your video – a brief description of you and the skills that you bring to the table.
The best part about the video is the fact that you actually don’t need to physically run into the person you’re hoping will hire you. All you have to do is ask them to watch a video from the comfort of their office. By creating a quality video, you will give yourself a huge advantage over other people who are only submitting traditional paper resumes.
I cannot stress the importance of creating a digital identity. When a potential employer types your name into Google, make sure they are going to find your professional networks and video resumes rather than the glory days you only remember through Facebook posts.
In all seriousness, take the time to do some research on yourself and see what you find. Pretend you are an employer considering yourself as a future employee, and take notes on what you find to further develop your digital identity. Post your video resumes on your YouTube channel, Facebook and LinkedIn accounts. Make it easy for potential employers to see what you are really about. Make the best out of this era of new technology and let it help take you to the places you want to be in life.
– Zach Larsen is the 2012-13 ASUSU Programming vice president. He oversees student events on campus including the Howl and Mardis Gras. Comments on his column may be sent to statesmanoffice@aggiemail.usu.edu.