Tech savvy or not, chances are you have at least one account on one of
the major social media networks; namely Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and
Google+. And while these fairly new communication channels have opened doors
for young professionals to search for jobs and get noticed; they have likewise
made it easier for employers to investigate candidates.
Invisible weapon for disxcrimination
It's not professional for hiring personnel to judge you based on your
facebook account for sure, but you can't prevent it from happening. We are
humans in the end, and your future boss might not even admit it to him/her self
but the way you put yourself out there on social networks might indeed affect
their decision when it comes to hiring you.
One particularly interesting study in the US revealed discrimination
among a certain type of employers where religion background and sexual
orientation as listed on fake social media profiles caused apparent
discrimination. For instance, applicants who indicated they are Muslim were not
selected as opposed to their Christian counterpart who had the same exact
qualifications. Luckily, the entire thing was fake.
While we don't endorse racism, drug use or lying; which are main reasons
found for employers not hiring potential candidates, we strongly recommend that
you routinely re-visit your privacy settings on facebook, Twitter and Google+
to avoid being misjudged or discriminated by anyone.
But even after you do that, keep in mind that information about you is
still out there for friends and acquaintances to read and share with others
with or without your permission.
As for Twitter, your tweets are public. Make sure you mean what you say
in those 140 characters.
Utilize social media for your benefit
When used smartly; Social Media can help you develop your career and
land a great job. Here are a few tips to help you:
1.
Be Engaged
Follow companies in your field on LinkedIn and Twitter to engage in
related discussions and be notified about their news and new job openings.
“Like” companies you’re interested in but don't stop at that; it's important to
participate in conversations about the industry and profession on Facebook.
It's a great way to show your expertise and value to potential employers and
colleagues.
2. Be the expert
Offer help to others by answering questions, making introductions, and
linking to valuable interesting content. You will lose a lot if you're only
looking for personal gain. If you regularly answer questions on LinkedIn and
provide links to high quality content on Facebook and Twitter, you are building
a strong personal brand for yourself.
3.
Search For Jobs
Don't leave a virtual stone unturned looking for the right job. Many
Websites like Bayt, Dubizle,,
Akhtaboot and others. They provide access to
thousands of job opportunities for everyone. But don't
stop at job portals;
improve your chances by looking for jobs on company Twitter feeds, on their
Facebook pages, and Linkedin job search.
4.
Make A Plan
Making sporadic efforts to develop your career or search for a job is
not going to help you. It's important to have a real plan; one that is not only
in your mind. Make it as realistic and achievable as possible. If you're
currently looking for a job, try to focus on that. For example, plan on
building your profile on Linkedin one day, joining groups on another and
following key accounts on Twitter on a third. You'll waste too time and not
accomplish much if you're not organized and disciplined.
Courtesy : Bayt.com
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