Social Media as a Platform for Job Seekers ~ Kwentology

Every once in awhile there comes a moment in your life when you have to drop everything you were doing and start looking for a job. The severity of the situation may vary and the reasons ma y range from completely logical and expected to arbitrary failures and honest mistakes. Whatever the case, you're left out of a job, and unless you're planning to spend the rest of your life in your mother's basement (hey, I'm not judging), you will need to get out and find an occupation. Or do you? In a universe where two particles can be entangled over billions of miles and Ben Affleck is playing the next Batman, everything is possible, including finding a job without leaving your place. The trick lies in using social media. However, there are a few ground rules we need to lay if we are to achieve success in our little endeavor. Don't worry, it's nothing you can't handle. Just a few minor details, such as...
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Separate Your Personal From Your Professional Life

You've set up your LinkedIn profile already? Look at you, taking matters into your own hand... Oh, wait, what are you doing?! Are you out of your mind? Don't post that photo! Do you really think potential employers will be impressed with your Scarface cosplay? Yes, it's funny how you're standing in front of a kilogram of powdered sugar dressed like Tony Montana, and it's even more amusing that it looks like you're snorting cocaine... But do you really believe that self-respecting employers will give you work? Seriously? For all they know, you really snort cocaine and you are looking for work so you can finance your habit (although, if you can afford a kilo then odds are you're not really in a need of money, but they won't give it that much thought). I get it, it looks funny on your Facebook profile (or whatever you kids are using these days, I've lost track) but that's your personal profile. When you are looking for a job, you have to make some changes. You have exactly 5 seconds to make an impression. You don't want it to be a bad one...

First, all of the photos in a social platform that will help you find a job (like LinkedIn mentioned above) have to be either work related, or presenting you in at least a shred of formal setting. If you have nothing better than giving off flayers in a hamburger costume (hey, we've all been there), then just put on a suit and ask a friend to take a few photos of you on a neutral ground.

Second, while we are on the topic, if you have embarrassing photos on Facebook, or something that shows you drinking, smoking or anything a potential employer might not like, make sure they are not public. Employers have been known to snoop around Facebook profiles because of reasons, and you don't want them seeing photos from that Christmas party you got drunk as a mule, now, do you? Didn't think so...

Hey, I'm not saying it's fair, just warning you what your potential employer will probably do. Whether you follow my advice or not is entirely up to you. It's your job that is on the line, after all.

Realize That References Are Good

If you can get some references from your previous boss, that would be super. Having someone who's actually employed to tell your potential employers that you're a responsible and trustworthy individual with excellent problem solving capabilities and unsurpassed mental fortitude and determination to do your job at all cost, will give you a few bonus points over other candidates. Even if your job was to sell hamburgers, you've worked with people – that's valuable experience. You need to learn how to present yourself, as well. Saying you were a cashier at McDonald's is one thing... But saying you were a sales representative at a multinational corporation where you've developed your incredible people skills, is another thing altogether. You're not lying. You're just advertising yourself better. That's pretty much all you need to know in order to be successful in your job hunt.

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