What to expect when you’re expecting…something more.
Bill Handyis unsure…of how lacking my blog actually is, or so I thought he was when I was volunteered against my will during Social Media Class (which is being offered this spring for the first time ever at OSU). Surprisingly he thought it was alright. I am still having issue with a few things and would love some advice on how to better my blog even more (in other words, exceed expectations in order to expect more).
As discussed in class, there are ways to add a Twitter feed to your blog (which we were having issues with in class…silly Twitter), your resume, portfolio, a blog role (still can’t find that one), heck even your picture (I feel as though I’m blog-tarted).
Here is my question to you-what would you like to see (yes you fellow students, OSU staff and professors, person who stumbled onto this page out of coincidence, and future employers) on a person’s page that would describe them better? After you make your suggestions, by all means please include ways to make them happen (possibly in a way that is easy to understand). The more suggestions the better we can get to know one another, so post away bloggers!
Selecting what social media tools to use and what information to share on them, as with any communication tool, depends on what you want to accomplish.
Reading about your struggle with social media has really been interesting – and I think you will be well served by your skepticism. It sounds like you value the time and energy social media requires and you want to understand the return before you commit to invest – I think that’s smart.
That said, what is it you want to get from SM?
If you just want to pass your class, then do as little as possible (like have a blog with a default template and no personal information what so ever). (BTW-for this type of blog you don’t HAVE to disclose your name, but an about that explains WHO you are would be helpful. Maybe even include a sentence about why you chose to post anonymously. )
If you want to look like you’re competent with SM tools when compared against your peers when evaluated for a job, then spend a lot of time building a LinkedIn page and contact network. LinkedIn should look AT LEAST as good as your resume (which is essentially the purpose LinkedIn serves.) Maybe create a Facebook page and make it private – so you look like you use SM tools without the need to actually maintain anything.
LinkedIn is an interesting SM tool as it doesn’t require the aesthetic design sense, effort or technical knowledge that other platforms require to look “good”. LinkedIn just requires well written information about you. LinkedIn also doesn’t require daily updates – which makes it less demanding on your time. But I would include a picture on LinkedIn. I’d also provide a complete overview of your background and qualifications as possible. And I’d try to link in with as many folks as possible – professors, students, your parents, employers, your pastor, anyone you interview with (don’t invite them until AFTER the interview). Try to get a good portion of folks from your industry. You don’t have to look like a LinkedIn Ninja but you don’t want to look like you set up the page and quit either.
Once you get this far, you really need to think about what it is you WANT to get from SM. If you want to try to expand your social and professional network, continually learning new and interesting things, spot and understand trends before the rest of the public at large, and potentially discover job opportunities that only those “in the know” can find…then you have to get serious. Or at least a little more serious.
Start a blog with your name on it with a picture and a prominent “ABOUT” page. Describe yourself, what you’re doing and where you want to go. This blog (your “professional blog”) should be primarily focused on you industry. For a JB/PR student/prospective employee this will show case your writing and critical thinking skills, show that you are in tune with the industry and that you are continuing to grow professionally. To really optimize on this, you really need to interact with with blogs and blogger in your space. This is easier than it sound, but it does take time and effort and is definitely a learning process.
The good news is that by not being a (non-professional, college aged) social media guru you don’t have any of the stuff out there that employers DON’T want to see – drunken party pics, Spring Break coverage, details of your intimate piercings, etc. With the rise of SM for both professional and non-professional uses, many potential employees are caught with their pants down, so to speak, and unknowingly kill any chance of employment.
In short, I think that most people seeking professional jobs should have some online presence. But a smaller presence is WAY better than an inappropriate one. Employers want to know that they won’t be embarrassed (or worse) by their employees. Also, don’t spread yourself too thin – don’t start a SM account unless you plan to use it – this way employers are more likely to see the accounts you ARE using.
If you want to maintain an “personal” SM presence that highlights a lifestyle that may not be appreciated by everyone, then use something like Facebook and restrict access to only your non-professional connections.
A great resource for using SM to get hired is @fishdogs .
Best of luck,
Matt
Matt Galloway
March 2, 2009