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Paula West
August 22, 2024
Career Guide ArticleThe arrival of social media and online networking platforms has transformed how professionals present themselves to the world for some time now. There are many written and unwritten rules for building a professional presence. The most important one is to remember that a positive online presence can go beyond a well-crafted resume; it involves managing one’s reputation, engaging with relevant communities, and leveraging digital platforms for career growth. As individuals and businesses continue to rely on the internet for networking and information-sharing, the importance of curating a favorable digital image cannot be overstated.
Review how you choose to be online and ensure that your use of these platforms appropriately presents yourself to the audience you want to attract. When building your professional accounts, ensure that you utilize a photo that represents an image you want your future employer to connect with. Profiles with professional photos receive more views and are best received on LinkedIn. You should also use this photo when representing your school or employer. Wearing your favorite t-shirt and beanie is an example of what not to wear.
Most platforms provide space for a headline or a bio. Remember the audience you are speaking to when writing your headline or bio. LinkedIn headlines are often hugely different from personal Instagram bios. When discussing your professional career, even if it is just the beginning, use confident, professional language to ensure that your message is factual.
When you create your AgCareers.com profile, there is a text box for your career objective. This is a spot to put a statement defining your career goals. A good statement is, “I seek challenging opportunities where I can fully use my skills for the organization’s success.” A weak statement reads, “to obtain a full-time job.” You can include specific skills related to your education or experience, make them your own, and ensure they are truthful.
If you want to make digital professional connections, choose the right social media platform. The platform you use to game and connect with your friends will look different from the one you use to apply for work or grow your professional network. Remember that what you post on these other platforms may differ from the image you want to convey professionally. Remember, it is likely accessible to the person making the hiring decisions, and the information found could be used as a critical factor in who they want to bring on as a team member. Believe me, companies are checking Instagram, YouTube, and public Discord chats.
Engaging in online communities, forums, and groups fosters connections and demonstrates expertise. You can start by participating in chats on Discord with your classmates. Practice talking online with a confident tone that you imagine an employer or coworker would like to engage with. This means dropping the everyday slang when communicating online with other Gen Zs. Emojis are not usually part of conversations when talking with others on LinkedIn or other platforms. Don’t worry; you will find the right coworkers to send emojis to after you are hired.
Maintaining a positive digital reputation is crucial for career advancement. There are many examples of ruined careers when someone says the wrong thing online. Being intentional about your posts shows that we are being deliberate about what you are posting. Generally, people share what is most important to them; you can too, of course, but on your professional posts, review the list below to ensure you post with the proper self-image in mind. The one thing you can control is what you share on social media. What you can’t control is how that information is interrupted by others. Being intentional and mindful about your posts shows your thoughts, purpose, and desired outcome.
This purposeful thoughtfulness will reflect well on LinkedIn and show others you are a community-minded person with intellectual thoughts.
You can be more thoughtful and confident about your posting habits by asking yourself the following before hitting the share button:
If you are looking to build your social network, ensure that you post regularly. Use current and appropriate hashtags so that people can find your content. If you are at an event, follow those hashtags, comment on the event posts, and connect with others who are also engaging with those posts.
Building a professional network expands beyond your current reach, so keep looking for your next connection. Be approachable online and welcome others to share their thoughts. New connections bring new ideas. This is a two-way street; with the mindset that you need to help more than you may receive, people will be more inclined to help you when you ask. Sometimes, a new connection may lead you to your next client or supplier, or better still, give them one. Keep your negative comments offline and private from new connections (you don’t know everyone they do). Lastly, remember that even your best friends were strangers once, so you need to comment, share, and work on professional relationships. Everyone was fresh out of school once as well.
When you participate in a webinar or Teams call, having your camera on reflects that you are present and respect the time of the people you meet. It lets you show off your ability to meet them ‘face to face’ digitally, which is crucial when working for a company with remote workers or if you have coworkers globally. This is a fantastic way to connect with others by using and reading body language. You can also show others that you are ‘present’ by wearing appropriate office clothing, being groomed nicely, and having full attention on the call, not on your phone or chatting on the other screen. Do you ever think about how others see your appearance or background? Often, people take in our surroundings when our cameras are on. It is common to have a privacy screen, blank wall, or blur your background when your camera is on. It is nice to keep others focused and for your privacy as well.
Besides having social media profiles, building a positive personal website is a terrific way to highlight your skills, accomplishments, and personal brand. Here are some tips to help you create a professional and positive online presence through your personal website:
Finally, another habit you may want to develop is auditing your digital presence. Google yourself and check your earlier online posts. Do they still align with how you want to present yourself online? It is okay to remove posts that no longer serve your intentions or ask someone else to remove a post you are tagged in. You may have been focusing on a specific area of your life but now have new goals and purpose. Removing old posts that could harm your career, new friendships, and even strangers is the right thing to do. Maintaining a digital presence that is accurate and true to who you are is exhibiting intention and could be the key to landing your dream job.
