With social media being used every single day by a huge amount of people all over the world, it is certain that employers are going to use it to their advantage.
With social media being used every single day by a huge amount of people all over the world, it is certain that employers are going to use it to their advantage. So, how can you avoid your worst nightmare, photos of you passed out from too much alcohol, being mentioned during an interview?
It’s always a good idea to have multiple accounts – one of which can be used personally, for your family and friends, and another that you only use professionally. This way, you can link up a separate email account, and any other websites that you decide to use, with less chance of your private life being found out by an employer.
Being careful on Twitter
Although, don’t think that you can get away that easily – everything posted online stays online, and there are some things you just can’t get out of!
On Twitter, for example, you don’t necessarily have to state your name, and instead you can use a nickname. You could do the same with Facebook, or any other accounts. Then, use your real name on the accounts that are designed purposely for the employer to have a sneaky look at.
By doing so, you can make a good impression and show off all of your good attributes.
If you are a wannabe student journalist, then you are likely to want to showcase all of your work via your social networks. You can create a blog, and if you decide that you want to continue showing off your work in the foreseeable future, then you may want to buy the domain and have your own website.
The perfect balance
This would catch the eye of a potential employer and make you stand out from others, with the likelihood that even more people will view your articles. You could then include a link in your Twitter bio, so it can clearly be seen on your profile.
On your website, you can post articles, or any other relevant work, from multiple publications, online or in print, proving that you have what it takes to go far.
You may want to follow other journalists, magazines or newspapers, and comment on their work. It’s important to show that you have a clear knowledge of the world around you, and that you aren’t shy to find out more from someone in a position you’d eventually like to be in yourself.
You could retweet some of their articles, or even show a bit of controversy and write a response with an opposing view. Don’t be afraid to get yourself out there.
Remember, although you are keeping your personal life private for your benefit, it’s important to show some personality online too. There’s no harm in tweeting about something you love and are passionate about, or your plans for the weekend, as long as you are careful about how much you give away.
You could tweet about a celebrity that is just constantly getting on your nerves, but it may not be the best idea to go all James Arthur and send abusive messages to them.
Keep a good balance between the two and you will be fine! Good luck.
What do you think? What advice would you add? Have your say in the comments section below.
