Sunday, 3 February 2013

Using Social Media Smartly



Surveys show that half of the youth spends about 3 hours on the web every day and better part of this time is spent on the social media.  Facebook, Twitter and Youtube have become some of the most popular social networking sites.  The youth likes watching a video, checking a friend’s profile or blogging.  Some of them use social media to stay in touch with friends they see frequently; some use it to stay in touch with friends they rarely see in person.  Majority also uses these sites to make plans with friends while others use it to make new friends.  Social media gives them the opportunity to connect with others and create meaning using words and pictures, all this with the added convenience of doing it whenever and wherever one wants.  Hand held mobile devices have made lives simpler.
Though keeping in touch with friends or finding new friends are genuine uses of these sites, they can also be used for networking and connecting with potential employers.  One can also smarten up his or her social network profiles to gain employment as most companies now have a presence on social media platforms.  It would only take a few cautious steps to achieve this.  Here’s how it can be done.
If you don’t want your parents to see any picture / post of yours, don’t put it on your profile as it would not be liked by the employers either.  All it needs is a simple Facebook search for an employer to know about you.  Although facebook and twitter are the most popular site and more fun to be on, it won’t harm to have a profile on a more professional networking site like LinkedIn.
Social media is an ideal platform to network and make connections.  One may even interact with employers’ social media page to show his or her interest and enthusiasm.  Also it is of utmost importance that you make yourself as visible to the potential employers as possible, probably by including your social networking profile link to you CV.
Who knows….doing this may reward you with your dream job. Happy social networking till then….

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