Your Digital Footprint

Definition: A social media footprint is the trail that you leave behind for others to find every time you are active online.

Social Media

Many individuals use various forms of social media available to source their next role. It takes on many different forms including Internet forums, weblogs, social blogs, microblogging, wikis, podcasts, photographs or pictures, video, rating and social bookmarking. The top social networks – LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter are free and easy to join. These can be used initially to get job search advice and tips to network. Connect with career and job search experts, companies that are recruiting and other job seekers.

Social media is a great tool for the job seeker and one that every HR and Finance professional should be using. Your social footprint will become very important in your quest for your next HR or Finance role and it is important to maximise your online profile.

Begin searching for relevant sites with Google and Bing as they now index all the social sites through their real-time search engines and make sure you add your profile on as many sites as possible to ensure HR or Finance recruiters find you.

Networking is one of the most important components of job searching so join these main sites first – LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook, then you can build up your social media digital footprint on other sites such as Google.

LinkedIn

Create a detailed profile and make it 100% complete with information on employment (current and past), education, industry, and web sites.

• Add a photo, a headshot is recommended.
• Include all your resume keywords and skills in your summary section.
• Make connections with other HR or Finance professionals and HR or Finance recruitment specialists and grow your network. The more connections you have the more opportunities you can create for yourself.
• Ask for recommendations – these are testament to the type and level of work you are capable of and will provide an effective snapshot of your capabilities to a future employer.
  Increase your visibility e.g. add to and set up polls, post details of successful presentations you have undertaken (if permitted).
• Add updates to your profile regularly to ensure you get noticed.

DON’T FORGET – LinkedIn provides a job searching facility to use too.

Twitter

• Add an eye-catching sales pitch of you and your skills in your bio.
• Use a professional photo of yourself.
• Add a link to your resume to promote your skills further.
• Follow industry experts, tools like Followerwonk.com can help.
• Tweet about HR or Finance topics or offer tips and advice – this will enhance your reputation as an HR expert.
• Set up targeted job tweets sent to your twitter feed or your mobile phone.

Facebook

• Have a good Facebook profile so it gives a future employer a good feel for your personality.
  Add your professional qualifications.
• Be creative – aim to attract a future employer.
• Get some recommendations from previous employers to add.
• Share your successes; awards, accolades and accomplishments all highlight your skills.
• Promote HR events you are running or attending.
• Grow your email list and establish relationships with key HR or Financial leaders, recruiters and potential referrals.
• Track your activity on the page to strive for maximum engagement with the right potential HR employers.

The social media marketplace is constantly evolving and the above represents just a small snapshot of what you can achieve in social media. If you would like further information or assistance in growing your social media footprint please contact your HR or Finance Recruitment Consultant.

Ashley Kate acknowledges Sirona Consulting Ltd for their support and contributions to this Guide.