Updating my social media accounts – advice required.

geek84

Hifolks

Ialready have a Facebook, Linked In, and Twitter account. However, I haven’t been on them or used themfor quite a while and now I am thinking of updating them in order to increasemy chances of gaining employment and increasing my social circle.

Canyou please give me some indication as to what type of information I should puton each account and the type of image I should upload – i.e. professional orcasual?

Thanksin advance for your response.

mr_fishbulb

Facebook - Don't bother. Are you "friends" with anyone who would be a potential employer? Just make sure you don't look like an idiot in your profile pic, and lock everything else down with the privacy settings so no one who isn't your friend can see it.

Linkedin - This is used by a lot of employers. Make sure everything is up to date, and contains relevant info on the previous jobs - taylor this for the type of jobs you are applying for. It doesn't need a picture, but a professional looking one won't hurt.

Twitter - unless you make this private, it is open to everyone. Delete any tweets that make you look like a plonker, and make sure your profile pic isn't anything silly.

geek84

Thanks Mr Fish Bulb

mr_fishbulb

No problem

Hoseman

You don't necessarily have to be on Twitter but if you do be yourself and use it to make connections. If you're looking for work in a certain sector, follow relevant news sources and people in the industry. It will help to keep your finger on the pulse.

On LinkedIn do the same thing but use groups that relevant to the sector(s) of interest. There are lots of things you can do with your profile like making sure its complete, ensure it reads well and put across the benefits you can offer employers, build recommendations and always look to grow your connections.

EDIT:

I'd recommend adding a photo. A profile with photo is more effective.

johnnyboyrebel

In response to the 'don't bother with facebook' comment I disagree. Having a digital marketing company myself facebook is the most important of the 3. Obviously I speak from what you can actually do with it to attract employers (given I am a designer and developer specifically in social media) and fb gives the most access.

I guess it depends your situation. Do you have your own business? Or are you just thinking if you apply for a job and if the potential employer decides to look you up on fbto 'sound you out' (which is unlikely)

geek84

Hi Folks

Many thanks for your advice, so far.