NETWORKING
Some of the strongest job connections can be made on the web. Learn how you can use social media as a tool for success. BY JILL BUCHNER
IF YOU MADE all of the work connections in your “contacts” list while mingling over coffee or cocktails, your networking needs an update. Today, more than ever before, people are meeting, strengthening business relationships and building reputations over social media. And employers are getting online, too. According to a 2014 socialrecruiting survey from Jobvite, 73 percent of recruiters have hired someone through social media, and employers are using social networks to search for, contact and vet candidates, as well as showcase their brands and post jobs. While some of the rules remain the same whether you network in person or online, the sheer size of social media communities has been a game-changer. “It’s borderless,” says Kirstine Stewart,
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vice-president of Twitter’s North American media partnerships and Canadian Living’s April guest editor. “You can find yourself in a conversation with anyone—even a major international CEO.” So if you’re looking to expand your contacts, grow your career or land a new job, social media should be part of your plan for success. Here’s how to do it.
MAKE A POSITIVE FIRST IMPRESSION
Your social media profile provides others with immediate insight into who you are. The short bio that appears next to your name is the first thing potential contacts notice—think of it as the new handshake.
But it’s up to you to make them take notice. “When building your profile, indicate what your interests are and where you’ve gained professional experience,” suggests Stewart, adding that inserting a link to a personal website is a great way to drive people to even more information about you and your capabilities. A photo is an important part of your profile, but if you aren’t comfortable sharing your picture online, there are alternatives. “Many people use places, things and sayings that represent their personalities and identities,” says Stewart. “Don’t be afraid to add some personal flair. Fun pictures and videos help you promote yourself in more than just 140 characters.” But don’t get carried away: Provocative or inappropriate photos and evidence of inebriation are some of CANADIANLIVING.COM | APRIL 2015
PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES (MODEL); MIGUEL JACOB (STEWART)
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