Social Media Networking - be prepared for all that comes with it.

The last 5 years has seen a vast change in social media networking with the rising of the Facebook era/Myspace/Twitter etc. With the advancement of the Net, there have been tremendous benefits with regards to networking and creating exposure for almost all individuals, professionals, housewives, teenagers and of course job seekers and employers.


There is huge responsibility that comes with the exposure as these mediums of social networking also allows for quite an invasion into ones private life, which at first may be quite exciting, but for the job seeker, be sure that your profiling reflects what you would want a prospective employer to know about you.


Take the following into consideration:-


1. Be cautious about expressing fanatical religious and political views.
2. Limit your use of profanity even in jest. Yes we live in judgmental society where we are judged and we happily return the favour.
3. Do you use your blog/facebook page to vent about how boring your existing job is, how your boss is menopausal.
4. Be cautious about spreading your personal vents/arguments about your love life, a day in your life shouldn't reflect an epic episode of 'The Bold and The Beautiful' in which your lazy messy significant other is a total moron.
5. Be cautious about making media announcements about up and coming interviews - duh.
6. Your likes and dislikes - 'nude carwash facebook page' 'men were born to serve page' - all reflect your character and total image - you are YOUR BRAND.




Your reaction to the above may be that you live your life for yourself and really couldn't care, 'accept me as I am" you exclaim! - When you have children to feed, bills piling up, losing your home to repossession and unable to feed yourself as you're going on your 6month of being unemployed, I think you may think twice about a nonchalant attitude.


This being echoed quite loudly from my insides, please do enjoy your networking, it will and can bring so  many opportunities. what you reflect is what you will attract back. A prospective employer will shy away/more like run from a constant complainer or someone who openly starts his weekend on Thursday.


Walk your talk, there is no point sitting in interviews expressing what a positive and enthusiastic individual you are when your facebook status exclaims quite the contrary. Remember social media isn't 100% guaranteed to be private and safe.


A professional networking tool is LINKEDIN.COM, set up a professional profile there, detailing your cv and experience and your existing details and if you are indeed in the market for opportunities, this is another excellent way to connect to the right individuals. This is free and invaluable for a jobseeker/professional seeking local and International networking.


I hear a lot from clients, as somehow with the growth of the Internet we are all networked somehow by friends, clients and co workers, so keep it professional, well atleast keep it clean:)


Wishing you the absolute best.
Melinda@hrcorp.co.za