In order to get a job nowadays, you need more than a stellar resume and cover letter.
You need a personal brand — the online impression or image that people (most importantly potential employers) will remember you by.
Lesa Shouse, director of USF St. Petersburg’s Career Center, says that personal branding is crucial for students planning to get a job or continue their education after graduation.
The biggest component that impacts graduates’ personal brand? Online presence.
Employers and admission advisers are using social media more than ever to review students. In fact, Shouse says that 94 percent of students are hired based on their LinkedIn accounts and 73 percent based on other social media accounts.
Your online presence can determine whether you get accepted into your dream grad school or land the job you have always wanted. If you are in the process of revamping your personal brand check out some of these tips.
Get a professional headshot
It is recommended that students get a few professional photos taken to be used on social media accounts, such as LinkedIn and Twitter.
A professional headshot shows future employers that you are serious. The campus Career Center offers to take free headshot photos for current students and those who have graduated within a year.
Review social media
Social media has become a key in our daily lives and it is one of the first places potential employers look when reviewing candidates. With this in mind, students should take one day to look over all of their accounts and delete inappropriate or offensive posts – even the non-recent ones.
If you find there’s too much to sift through, it’s suggested that you create a new, professional account and delete the old one. Once you’ve cleaned out your online closet, think before you post. Does this reflect who I am? What would potential employers think about this post?
Create a LinkedIn profile
LinkedIn is a professional social networking website used by millions of employers. Shouse says students and recent graduates should try to connect with numerous professional groups and contribute to conversations to appear more visible to others in their industry.
It’s the website version of your resume. Your profile serves as a platform where organizations and employers can view details about your education, volunteer and job experience upfront.
But one element that makes LinkedIn standout is its skill endorsement feature, which allows a user’s connections to validate their strengths. The tool is a simple and efficient way to engage your network and build your professional brand.
Make a game plan
Think about the personal and professional goals you have set for yourself. Where do you want to be in five years? What company do you want to work for in the long run?
It’s important to know the answers to these questions, that way you can tailor your brand to fit those objectives. Knowing your goals can also help you determine what kind of content you should curate for social media websites and subjects you should stay away from.
A fun way to create a game plan is to make a visual – many people use vision boards to help them figure out the look they want for themselves.
