Social Media Profiles That Help, Not Hinder Your Professional Networking

Guest Post by Mike Zammuto :: Whether you’re seeking new employment or you’re trying to land a big new client, you can assume in this day and age that your name is going to be a subject of intense Google and social media scrutiny. Before taking the time to read your entire resume or spend an hour hearing your sales pitch, potential business associates are going to do their due diligence, checking you out on the Internet and looking for red flags. An embarrassing sorority party photo from your college days probably doesn’t convey the sense of professionalism you would like the business community to see.

For all of the talk about things that can hinder a social media profile, there’s much less discussion about what can enhance a social media profile — and turn it into a valuable and powerful tool for those seeking career advancement and professional networking. The question, then, is not simply which things ought be kept off your Facebook page, but which things should be highlighted on it.

1. Profess your professional acumen. Believe it or not, a Facebook account can provide you with an ideal platform for expressions your professional acumen — showcasing your skills and expertise in much the same way that a LinkedIn page can. One way to accomplish this is to ensure that you have joined, or “liked,” any professional or academic organizations with which you’re affiliated; if you’re a member in good standing with one of your industry’s most esteemed professional associations, Facebook is as good a place as any to let people know about it. Drive home the fact that you’re a key player in your field. That can improve your professional networking tremendously.

2. Let them see a different side of you. It’s equally crucial to remember that Facebook is not LinkedIn — and that while having some professional qualities highlighted can go a long way, Facebook is really most useful for showcasing other facets of your personality. Volunteerism, family life, out-of-the-office hobbies — these are the kinds of things that are inappropriate for a resume but that might help cast you in a more positive and relatable light when they are showcased via social media channels.

3. Engender goodwill. From a business perspective, Facebook is certainly not a place for putting your entire personal life on display — a sense of decorum is a rare and precious thing in today’s world — but using Facebook to connect with charities and non-profits you support can go a long way. Similarly, photos of your family or from a recent vacation you took can show off sides of your personality that colleagues may otherwise never see. That’s far from a bad thing; again, it can make you more relatable, and engender goodwill.

The bottom line is this: If you have a Facebook page or other social media accounts, you can bet that they’ll be seen. It’s a good thing, then, to ensure that they don’t hurt you professionally — but it’s even better to ensure that they actually help you. Improve your professional networking by thinking outside the box about how you’re being perceived.

Mike Zammuto is very experienced in the field of online reputation management techniques. He has designed many direct response marketing programs for companies of all shapes and sizes. He leads the team at ReputationChanger.com.

***

Questions? Comments? Leave your feedback below!

Need business advice? Want to join our Community? Check it out here.