I know what you’re thinking from the title. Using social media like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for networking? Sounds ridiculous!
Unfortunately, the days of keeping our personal and professional lives apart are at an end. Social media is on the rise! Although certain sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram were made for personal use rather than professional, they have key features that make them ideal for networking in your field. This is especially true for creatives such as digital marketers, musicians, and visual artists to name a few.
In my own experience as a writer, websites like Instagram and Twitter have been integral to finding open calls for submissions, relevant industry events, and even collaborators for projects. Beyond this, employers are known to skim a candidate’s social media before hiring. In 2017, a study by CareerBuilder showed that 70 percent of employers screen social media during the hiring process.
Below, we’ll go through a few tips for each platform to set you up for success.
Facebook is probably the most daunting of the three platforms to optimize because of the sheer amount of information it contains.
We can think of Facebook as a digital record of your life. You’ll want to create a coherent story with clear chapters. Be sure to include relevant information such as what you’re studying, where you’re studying, and what you hope to become. There are many ways to do this, including text-based entries within the “About” section, photos or videos that are relevant to your professional life, or resharing content. At a single glance at your timeline, a potential employer would be able to identify what field you’re in and that you’re a great fit.
As previously mentioned, I found Facebook to be particularly useful to find industry events. Between following the pages of organizations in the city I am interested in, such as Bitmaker or Embiria. And seeing the events my friends are attending, I have discovered events to attend that allow me to make more in-person connections.
Lastly, because Facebook has the trickiest privacy settings (more on this later!), we need to be extra careful about what we’re posting. There’s one rule that a classmate once told me that helps me decide what to post: would you be alright with your grandma seeing it? If you wouldn’t let your grandma see it, chances are an employer shouldn’t come across it too.
If Facebook is a digital record of your life, then Instagram is your digital resume. Don’t think of Instagram as a typical, formal resume though.
If you’re an artist of any kind—spoken word poet, music producer, videographer, etc.—Instagram acts as your digital portfolio to showcase your work. If you’re not an artist, consider what type of posts you could make to display your skills. For example, if you’re a Geographical Information Systems student, consider posting a map you’re particularly proud of. If you’re into technology, show off your Arduino circuits and Raspberry Pi robots.
Another great aspect of Instagram is the option to do stories. This is beneficial for those who feel a bit shy about sharing their entire lives on social media because it vanishes within 24 hours. Serving as a live update, use Instagram stories to remind people what you’re about and leave them wanting more.
The last of the three platforms is Twitter, which is the best for sparking conversation. Again, you’ll want to make your Twitter focused on a few key topics to make use of the short, quick bursts of information. Much like Instagram stories, it is best to use Twitter to remind your followers about what your purpose is.
While following leaders and tastemakers in your field is important, it is equally as important to network. Search for up-and-coming professionals like yourself, and engage with their content by favouriting or replying. These professionals are more likely to reply back and continue the conversation.
Got nothing to say? Another great advantage of Twitter is the retweet option. Follow organizations, thought leaders, and relevant hashtags in your industry. Retweet their content to once again create a coherent, focused, and recognizable brand for yourself.
Lastly, be consistent across your social media. Use it to create a clear profile of what you stand for, both in the text and your images.
Even with all of this considered, it’s still natural to want to keep some semblance of separation between your personal and professional lives. Twitter and Instagram have the convenient option of making your accounts private to avoid prying eyes. Facebook, on the other hand, is a little trickier. When posting on Facebook, be sure to check the individual settings for each post. Images like cover photos and your current profile picture will always be accessible for everyone to see.
And remember—when in doubt, keep the questionable pictures out!
