Social media is such a big tool and we don’t realize how much we can use it to our advantage. For multiple reasons, social media can be a simple guide on how to connect with others in your respective fields, how to gain knowledge about said fields, and also how to gain more opportunities in these fields as well. When using social media you have to understand the ins and outs of each platform so that you can best succeed in the area that you want to. 

If you are a college student searching for jobs and internships, you have come to the right place. We are going to guide you through updating your social media profiles to make them appealing to recruiters and interviewers. Before an employer hires you, they will want to make sure you are a professional person, and they'll most likely look you up on social media. The first things they see should be appropriate and professional. The best way to start making that happen is through your social media profile. 

Most of us want to think we are the best at what we do, or we at least want to be. But if we’re being honest – there are hundreds, maybe thousands, of people out there with the same skills as us. Competition can be scary- How can I get them to pick me? How will I make myself stand out? Well, thankfully we have this tool called social media we can use to our advantage. You can actually use your social media profiles to share your knowledge, skills, and experiences in a way that shows off your professional expertise. 70% of employers now do online pre-screening of their applicants, so use this opportunity to your advantage. But first, you need to answer the big question: What is my personal brand?

When I first entered college I thought I was marketable with all the right resources I needed. There was the college’s first job fair of the semester a few weeks in and I felt prepared for it. I went in with my resume, business card and myself to market to these employers that I am the best fit for their company. What I remembered of that day was that I had a lot of great conversation with employers but they seemed to always have a confused face they had when they saw an overly ambitious applicant as me without a LinkedIn profile. They questioned why I did not have one and immediately the mood of the conversation changed.

A LinkedIn profile is how they choose to engage with us these days and we need to know how to best set up a profile for optimal performance. Here are some tips on created your very own LinkedIn profile: 

Did you know that nearly 80% of jobs are found online? It has also been estimated that 95% of recruiters refer to the LinkedIn profiles of potential employees. Not only is LinkedIn a social media site and resume platform, it is a great place to start your job search. Here are a few things you can do to use LinkedIn as a search engine to find your dream job:

With an increase in applicants and new technology, recruiters have turned to Applicant Tracking Software’s to sift through applications and choose the few that they deem are actually worth looking at. And now you’re thinking, “Well how do I get my application to stand out when it gets processed through this software?” The answer to that question starts with a t-chart. You want to first begin by making a t-chart of the company’s ideal candidate based off of the information given in the job posting, and what you have to offer that matches their requirements. 

One of the most important parts of finding a job or internship is networking.  It’s preached to us time and time again- make connections with employers and keep those connections.  The easiest and most professional way to do this is through LinkedIn.  LinkedIn is a social networking site, specifically designed for employers, job seekers, and all business professionals to connect. Think of it as a Facebook for the business world, with the intent to build and engage with professionals while establishing and maintaining your own business identity.