Enhancing Employability Via Social Media.

maisielkirkland
Mar 2, 2021
2 min read

Updated: Mar 3, 2021

An interesting talk given by Dr Christian Dunn on the importance of how to present yourself on social media to enhance your employability; including identifying key social media sites to utilise and successfully building your online presence.

As a University student approaching graduation and exploring your career options it's important to re-evaluate your online presence to project your career interests moving forward rather than using accounts that represent your personal life.

Your online profiles should reflect your suitability for the job area/role you are aspiring towards and show employers that you are both knowledgeable and interested in that area. This can be enhanced via networking with key companies and individuals who currently work within that sector.

Key Platforms to Consider:

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

A Personal Blog - Eg. Wordpress, Wix…

The importance and power of networking was emphasised for those starting along their career path; Twitter and Linkedin are particularly useful when it comes to reaching out to individuals and companies within the industry you are interested in.

Reaching out and starting to create your own network of contacts will enable you to boost your employability through key interactions and present unique opportunities as a large percentage of jobs are filled via networking.

The use of two separate accounts for personal and professional interest is a recommended.

Dunn highlighted Instagram as an important platform for employers to be able to visualise your interests and experience via the sharing of professional images and videos. I agree that it is a great platform to utilise, particularly through the use of hashtags for self promotion in industries that you are particularly interested in.

Image: Utilise a range of platforms to connect to others within the same industry.

Key Tips Identified for Creating your Professional Online Presence:

Utilise your bio - Make education/experience clear
Follow relevant companies and organisations
Update and improve profile regularly
Engage with groups/others who share interests
Be professional yet passionate

An additional point to think about was the use of a personal blog as a great way to both highlight your skills and channel your passions. This was an option that I had not considered prior to this assignment and it is something I wish to continue as I explore my career opportunities further.

I feel like it is a great way to show off the areas in which you are interested and your engagement within those areas; for example, frequently attending online seminars, possibly interviewing individuals within industries of interest and reflecting upon your personal career pathway.

Attending this event has made me reflect upon the platforms I currently use and how I use them as well as making me consider broadening my online presence to slightly more professional platforms such as Linkedin. As graduation approaches, utilising more professional platforms and reaching out to others with similar interests will help me move forward on my post-graduation journey!