Ways to use social media to impress employers

A digital footprint is a crucial factor in a potential boss considering you worthy of a job interview

Like it or not — and out of your control, before inviting you for an interview, employers will scrutinize your digital footprint to see your activity on social media platforms, online communities, and forums.

Digital footprints are double-edged swords. Employers consider a candidate's lack of social media presence or what can be regarded as bare minimum or static as a red flag. On the other hand, having an overly robust social media presence can appear to be flamboyant and narcissistic.

A standard social media tip is to not overshare.

What you share, particularly while actively job hunting, can impress and, therefore, positively influence employers and recruiters. When researching a candidate's social media presence, employers and recruiters look for three things:

1. Written and/or design work.

2. Engagement in volunteering, mentoring and nonprofits.

3. Mutual connections. Sharing content that is likely to make the viewer judge you favourably is critical. Unfortunately, human nature being what it is, there is no guarantee how your social media activity will be judged. In a world where social norms are constantly in flux, how a person's social media is viewed changes with the times.

An example is selfies. Not long ago, selfies were considered self-centred; today, they are not seen as such.

Understanding ever-changing human trigger points is an art.

Bottom line: Is the candidate sharing to show off or are they sharing to inform, educate and teach? In other words, is the candidate leveraging social media to present themselves as a subject matter expert within their field/ industry or are they being obtrusive?

The key is believing in what you say (posting) and do (pictures, videos). Avoid using profanity, being insulting or being deliberately offensive or controversial. Being authentic is controversial enough.

I admit that some things I post may turn off potential employers. However, I accept the consequences of believing in something and possibly offending a prospective employer, which is never my intention. If that is the case, then that company will not likely be a fit for me. I recommend being honest and respectful and showing a glass half-full, optimistic view of life.

I mentioned three items employers and recruiters look for on social media. Here is

how you can incorporate them into your social media activities:

1. WRITTEN AND/OR DESIGN WORK

On social media, it's OK to brag. A tweet of you receiving an industry award or a Facebook post of having completed a certification can go a long way in getting you noticed by employers.

Then there is LinkedIn, which most employers view as a secondary resumé.

In 2023, successful job hunting requires (non-negotiable) a current and fully optimized LinkedIn profile. Posting industry-relevant content builds your credibility, starts meaningful conversations and displays your skills and abilities to potential employers. Therefore, upload and share documents, reports, presentations and links to articles you have written and awards you have received.

Keep in mind that employers will read through your LinkedIn profile before deciding whether you are interview-worthy. No longer will your resumé alone get you interviews. You must also have a LinkedIn profile that compellingly tells your career story.

2. ENGAGED IN VOLUNTEERING AND MENTORING

Share photos of yourself volunteering at your local food bank, fundraising or participating in a run for a cure marathon. As long as you are not fanatical or supporting a cause that goes against their values or mission, employers value authentic and civic-minded candidates. With this said, it is still wise to avoid posting your political or religious views or criticizing employers, especially regarding their hiring practices.

3. MUTUAL CONNECTIONS

Job search and career advancement success are greatly influenced by who you know and who knows you. While some people may find it offensive, humans feel more comfortable around people with whom they have a direct or mutual connection, as is most likely true for you.

Strong relationships are built on commonalities. Hence, the advice I give most often to job seekers: Make finding where you belong a priority is the best compass a job seeker can use.

Use LinkedIn to reach out and connect with people within your city, region, field and industry. Connect with people whom you have worked with or gone to school with. Engage by commenting on posts or asking questions with people who can help you in your job search and career. Once you connect with someone on LinkedIn, assuming they have accounts on these platforms, be sure to do so on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Using social media strategically, so it is an asset to your job search, can improve your chances of getting hired and shorten your job search. When job hunting, you want to construct a digital footprint that evangelizes what you do career-wise and what you can offer employers.

Therefore, use your social media activities to communicate your competencies to create an employer-appealing digital footprint.