Source: Tumblr
As we all get older, entrance into the ‘Real World’ is drawing closer. Which means our social media habits have to be changed, adapted and reflected. Instead of bombing our Facebook newsfeed with Friday’s party pictures, we start to dedicate time in maintaining our LinkedIn profiles. Profiles can be easily created, but the question is how can we make our online profiles stand out amongst the billions of people on the web?
“Your personal online branding is very important. Employers will look at what groups you’re part of, the photographs you’ve been tagged in, and comments you’ve made on other people’s blogs; negative feedback you’ve left can really go against you.” – Julie Bishop
Nowadays, people, brand and social activities are blending together. Thus to have a developed professional profile, you’ll need to first market yourself and not just jump into applying for the job.
In the BBC video, Peter Bowes mentioned one common mistake seen in LinkedIn’s profiles – long and lengthy summary. He points out that people should be concise with the message they want to get through. A naggy summary will only put potential employers off. Therefore, we should be aware of the objectives and think in the position of the employer.
Source: Giphy
Since we’re in the digital-tech era, social recruitment is becoming more common. According to Jobvite in 2014, 73% of employers plan to increase investments in social recruitment. Thus, individuals seeking for jobs should make use of the Internet to get noticed. This would mean to create multiple social platforms for organizations to spot for you easily. However, be aware of professionalism and things you’re publishing. Linking back to Topic 2, I still think that having a single identity is better. By having multiple social platforms doesn’t mean to have multiple identities. It just simply means that I am using one identity across these different social medias. After all, you’ll want to have consistency for employers to identify you.
“Sometimes, things need to reach a brutal nadir before people see sense.”-Jon Ronson
Definitely, the Internet is beneficial to many, but it can also cause one to be destroyed. There are numerous cases like Justine Sacco’s happening everyday. Here’s another story of how social media affects employment. As a result, I think people should be more aware of the things they are sharing online.
Source: Giphy
Honestly, the first thing that pops into my mind on Topic 3 was LinkedIn. However, I don’t think it really helped me. Upon creating my LinkedIn profile, I’ve realized that there isn’t much I can add to my profile, other than qualifications and temporary job experiences. Thus, LinkedIn might not be the best solution to having my profile stand out as a graduate. Instead, we can start a professional blog. Blogging helps employers to discover passion, creativity and motivation. On the other hand, blogging makes you stand out better in being different/special. Blogging encourages interaction by leaving comments for desired employers too.
Source: Tumblr
Lastly, I would like to end off with a video.
(438 Words-excluding dialogues)
Reference:
How blogging can help you get a job (TheEmployable)
http://www.theemployable.com/index.php/2014/10/28/blogging-can-help-get-job/
Perfect Your Authentic Online Leadership Profile on Social (RSS)
http://www.bethkanter.org/leader-profile/
Students – use this summer for a social media clean-up (The Telegraph)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/universityeducation/student-life/10214359/Students-use-this-summer-for-a-social-media-clean-up.html
7 Ways to Get Someone’s Attention With Social Media (Inc.com)
http://www.inc.com/steve-tobak/7-ways-to-get-someones-attention-with-social-media.html
8 Alternatives to LinkedIn for All Your Professional Networking Needs – Search Engine Journal (Search Engine Journal)
http://www.searchenginejournal.com/8-alternatives-linkedin-professional-networking-needs/71263/
12 Ways to Make Your Online Profile Work for You (PCWorld)
http://www.pcworld.com/article/250858/12_ways_to_make_your_online_profile_work_for_you.html
eat good ice-cream 
Hi Siew Woon,
I enjoyed reading your blog post with all the interesting gifs and images you included, it really enhanced your post a lot!
Your stand on having a single identity has actually got me thinking that having multiple identities is not actually a good thing especially when it comes to developing an authentic online professional profile. Employers may probably deem myself as not “authentic” and will lower my chances of securing the job.
You mentioned that social recruitment is becoming more common, so do you think that this will actually affect how people make a clear distinction between keeping an online professional profile and the main focus of social media? Will people be too concerned about managing their professional profile that soon one day, social media will only be used for recruitment and work related issues?
I look forward to receive your feedback on this!
Cheers!
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Hi Jun Ning,
Thanks for taking time in commenting on my post. I’m glad you found it interesting.
I couldn’t appreciate more for you to be leaning on my side having a single identity. However, I do believe that every choice we made do have it’s pros and cons.
People are always different. In my opinion, I believe that some people will still choose to behave unethically online. But “unethical” behaviours vary from what individuals think as well. As what I’ve mentioned earlier, People are different this is largely die to the different environment and culture we are brought up. However, I can’t agree that the social media will only be used for recruitment and work related issues one day. Yes, recruiters are expanding their network to employ for the right person on the Internet. But this does not necessary means that the social media will be conforming to a “business recruitment centre”. Recruitment will stay to be PART of the social media industries, but will never take over. After all, social medias are used to help people connect and interact better!
Hope this helps, and have a great weekend ahead!
Ciao~
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Hope you’re doing great Siew Woon!
You mentioned that you would prefer the use of a professional blog to display your passion, creativity and motivation.
After completing my recent blog post, I chanced upon a very interesting idea, why not develop a video profile with tools like YouTube!
Firstly, using a video profile can enhance the effect that you were planning to show! By using your voice, you can definitely show your interest level, energy level and your verbal communication skills!
Secondly, I believe that it would help you stand out because not every other ‘joe’ would put in the effort to make a video. Making a video can show off your creativity, effort and technical skills! Something which employers are on the constant look out for!
Thirdly, we being marketers should be well versed in digital competency and ideas. By using a video response, we can show that we understand the various methods of advertising! If an advertisement could be made to create awareness of a product, why not use it to sell yourself too! The best part is ITS FREE 🙂
I am not advocating the negligence of blogging all together, but rather just sharing what I know that maybe useful! Hope you could pick up something from this and STRIVE FOR GREATNESS!
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Hi there again Clinton!
I’ve got to know a video CV through Crystal’s post too! It’s definitely more interesting, creative and innovative as compared to blogging. However, every solution has its disadvantages. People looking for a job will obviously state information at their advantages. Thus, it’s difficult for employers to evaluate on a potential candidate. As a result, effectiveness on recruitment might be a long-term problem for companies. Adding on, depending on the industry we’re in, professionalism varies. Therefore, some employers might deduce that having an informal tone in video CV would be deem as being unprofessional.
On the other hand, blogging help employers to better understand the candidate. Furthermore, potential employers may discover employer’s passion, creativity and motivation too. Leaving comments on desired companies’ blog may help increase the chances of getting noticed as well.
In a nutshell, no matter what path you choose for reaching your goal in getting the desired job will only depends which kind of industry you are in. But keep in mind, to always remember to make your CV stand out among the others!
Cheers, and have a great weekend ahead!
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Hi Siew Woon,
Great use of GIFs! It really made your blog even more interesting to read! What an eye opener. 😉
“I still think that having a single identity is better… After all, you’ll want to have consistency for employers to identify you.”
In contrast to your opinion on having a single identity is better, i feel that there is certain shortcomings. Having multiple identities allows one to lower the chances of catfishing and cyber bullying. As mentioned from my post, having multiple identities provides one with obscurity. For example, safety on the internet can be enhanced through being anonymous and choosing the platform to disclose certain private information of yourself.
However, we should not ignore the various benefits which you mentioned such as a consistency and increase in authenticity. If i was a recruiter today, I would wish to see a well thought of presentation and a genuine online profile before sending an interview opportunity to someone.
Please do let me know what you think!
Cheers,
Yixin
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Hi Yi Xin,
Good to hear from you! Thanks for taking time in commenting on my post. I’m glad you’ve found it interesting.
Certainly having multiple identities would help lower the chances of catfishing and cyber bullying. After all, these are problems happening everyday on the Internet, which are unpreventable. However, in terms of developing an authentic professional online profile, I would prefer to have a single identity to maintain consistency for potential employers. In any cases, having a single identity doesn’t mean to have only one social media. It just means that I am using one identity across these different social medias.
Hope my reply do answer to your question.
Have a great weekend ahead, Cheers!
Siew Woon
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Hi Siew Woon , what a engaging post.
After i read your post, now i realize i also having a hard time creating my LinkedIn profile as i’m a fresh graduate. Also, i don’t really active in any organization in our school.
You mention you will chose blogging as a platform. What your blog contain will be ? is it purely work-related or you will include your personal life also ? and what other platform other than blog that you think would be applicable to you ? looking forward for your reply, cheers ! 😀
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Hi there agin Silviana,
Good to hear from you! Thanks for your comment and sorry for the delay in my response. I’m glad you’ve found it interesting.
Really appreciate for you to be leaning on my side that LinkedIn wasn’t the best platform for us graduates. I’m sure blogging will bring you somewhere further in the near future. Depending on the business you plan to enter, you may chose to blog about your past experiences in your temporary jobs and show how well you’ve handled problems. Adding on, you can also show motivation and interest by blogging about your desired company and why the company should choose you. Furthermore, blogging about common topics within the industry may help potential employers to spot for you and understand what are your thoughts about the current situation. Through those points mentioned above, potential employers may gather passion, motivation as well as creativity in you.
Alternatively, I think a video CV was rather interesting and have successfully showcase a wide creativity to potential employers! You might want to cross over to Crystal’s profile (where I got the inspiration from) for an example of a video CV on YouTube.
Hope my reply helps you to gain more insight about this topic. Cheers!
& have a great weekend ahead!
Siew Woon
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Good Afternoon Siew Woon (Meow Woon),
Let me start off my comments by commending on your level of creativity towards the usage of GIFs. Such interaction media tools are an area which I had yet to explore. Well done! You had always made your readers engaged with exceptional usage of such presentation tools.
However, there’s this article which I had read up a recent article from Forbes with regards to the effectiveness of blogging, I do agree with you that it is an essential tool which candidates may explore, however, there are certain critiques towards the effectiveness of blogging as well.
1) Cognitive level – HR Departments had been accused of being too systematic at times, and studies had mentioned that majority of Fortune 500 chief executives have no social media presence, what are the chances they would be extremely interested in what you post?
2) Collective, followers and page views don’t necessary translate to return on investment!
3) A negative post can be fatal – A plus point for LinkedIn is that they kept it simple, and the tendency to post some negative is minimized.
What are your thoughts? Also, it’s just a summation of why I feel blogging might not necessary be the best ‘tool’ but an essential one? Probably.
Thank you! I’m sorry if i made things difficult for you I came in peace 🙂
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Hi Patrick Hosehliaolor Goodstudent,
How are you doing? Thanks for your comment and sorry for the delay in my response. I’m glad you’ve found it interesting. Really appreciate for you to be agreeing on blogging being a tool for candidates to explore.
1) Studies may have showed that majority of Fortune 500 chief executives does not own any social medias. However, according to Jobvite (https://www.jobvite.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Jobvite_SocialRecruiting_Survey2014.pdf – Page 6) showing a high percentage of 73% of the employers planning to increase investment in social networks, with 63% referrals and 57% direct sourcing. Thus, I would like to conclude that businesses are now seeing the power of social network and the Internet. Which explains the plans in developing on their social network. On top of that, a blog will only interest potential employers if only your blogs are related to whom they are looking for. As a result, one should not only blog about their interests and motivation about a particular company, but also review on the articles related to the business industry. I guess that’s where organisations pick you up by being interested in your opinions.
2) I can’t agree better that the statement you’ve made was true. Follows and page views don’t translate how well you’ve written your blog. Instead, I would prefer the content of the blog to determine if it is beneficial.
3) Yes, definitely LinkedIn is the right platform for people who are seeking for a job. Don’t get me wrong. However personally, I don’t think it is suitable for graduates like me. Especially since my temporary jobs are short term, it wouldn’t reflect well on the other side. In addition, it’s going to be even more difficult to grasps the attention of potential employees with such little experiences. After all, I would have to first get the attention of potential employers before allowing them to know me better.
Alternatively, I thought having a video CV was a great and creative idea. You might want to pop over to Crystal’s blog to have a look, she have a really interesting video CV there! (:
Hope I have answered all your quires and helped. Have a good weekend ahead, Patrick! Cheers!
Siew Woon
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Good Afternoon Siew Woon (Meow Woon),
Let me start off my comments by commending on your level of creativity towards the usage of GIFs. Such interaction media tools are an area which I had yet to explore. Well done! You had always made your readers engaged with exceptional usage of such presentation tools.
However, there’s this article which I had read up recently from Forbes with regards to the effectiveness of blogging, I do agree with you that it is an essential tool which candidates may explore, however, there are certain critiques towards the effectiveness of blogging as well.
1) Cognitive level – HR Departments had been accused of being too systematic at times, and studies had mentioned that majority of Fortune 500 chief executives have no social media presence, what are the chances they would be extremely interested in what you post?
2) Collective, followers and page views don’t necessary translate to return on investment!
3) A negative post can be fatal – A plus point for LinkedIn is that they kept it simple, and the tendency to post some negative is minimized.
What are your thoughts? Also, it’s just a summation of why I feel blogging might not necessary be the best ‘tool’ but an essential one? Probably.
Thank you! I’m sorry if i made things difficult for you I came in peace 🙂
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Hi Siew Woon (potential star blogger)!
I really enjoyed reading your blog. I thought it was really well thought out and written based on your views and experiences regarding the development of an authentic professional profile with the support of relevant information.
As the world is ever changing and with the Internet being a major recruitment tool in many organisation, everyone now is trying to appeal to their future potential employers with their innovative online profiles. Previously, to stand out among everyone who use CVs and resumes, the one who started using social media platforms to attract their employer would be considered smart and creative. So, as the time goes by, let’s say using social media to attract employers has become so common and mundane, do you think someone who went back to writing a creative resume will be a trend again? Just like vintage clothes can be brought back into fashion today.
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Hi Yi Lin (crazy star blogger)!
Good to hear from you! Thanks for taking time in commenting on my post. I’m glad you’ve found it beneficial. And no, I’m not any close to being a star blogger yet!
Wow, that was indeed a very impressive thought you’ve got there! Honestly, I haven’t really thought of that idea. Who knows I might try it someday and mail my CV/resume to their letterbox? I guess they will be impress and yet surprise.
However, in my opinion, no matter how hard you try to impress organisations, a traditional CV/resume will still be deem as mundane or old-fashioned. Perhaps, you can try to give a coloured CV/resume instead? It will definitely grasp the attention of your potential employers. But be careful of the industry you’re in. After all you will want potential employers to think of you as professional and serious in working with them.
Lastly, I would like to think that social/internet CV/resume is not a trend. Instead, it’s the convenience and huge pool of population that companies are seriously looking into.
I hope my reply have helped you built on the idea of a traditional CV/resume. Have a good weekend and plenty of rest. (:
Cheers!
Siew Woon
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