So what’s up with…

…and why do I care?

Some Numbers:

• 37-56% of employers admit to using social media to research applicants

• Of those, 44% have seen an applicant bad-mouth an employer on social media

• 65% want to know if you’d be a good fit• 51% want to know if you use the space

professionally• 45% have chosen not to hire someone because

of social mediaFrom: Forbes and Wall Street Journal

Absolute Basics: First Impression

It’s not fair, but employers will judge you first the same way your friends do– they’re going to hop right to photos you’ve uploaded. This means some of you will need to do a Facebook scrub. And you’ll want to pick your photos carefully.

Absolute Basics: First Impression

Note that this is a rhetorical process, so if you look at MY Facebook, for example, you’ll see a lot of “do as I say, not as I do.” But I’m not a fresh graduate looking for a job; I’m a quirky professor looking to remain quirky.

Still– here are some quick examples of good vs. bad photos

Job Killer Pictures on Social Media

1. The “I drink a lot!” photo:

…or I hit the bong.

A photo like that will lose you a job.

Job Killer Pictures on Social Media

2. “I don’t dress profesh.

Imagine how an employer feels if he/she knows what your abs look like before they know your skillset.

Embarrassing.

Job Killer Pictures on Social Media

3. Lewd or politically charged memes.

If a 9/11 joke offends an employer, you just memed out of the pool.

Job Killer Pictures on Social Media

4. Don’t try to be an “artist” with your portrait.

We get it. You don’t like pictures of yourself. What are you hiding?

A good photo (or 2)

Topics to Avoid in best cases:

• Drinking and drug use• TMI regarding relationships• Politics• Religion• Sexuality• Race• Depression• Any negative comments about coworkers,

teachers or bosses

The good stuff…

• Your work/your achievements• Friends succeeding• Engage in friendly small-talk• Show what you KNOW• Be publically helpful

The social media triangle

• Facebook= social to be social; consider having a second account or REALLY limiting everyone who isn’t your friend

• Twitter= use it for academic work and job searching. Make a second account if your friends tweet.

• LinkedIn= it’s for job searching. Don’t do anything BUT job search/professional networking there.

The profile

• LinkedIn’s profile basically directs you where to go and what to say; so go where it takes you and say it well.

• Don’t volunteer things it doesn’t ask for.• Always think less personal, more

professional. • When in doubt, omit

Your goal…

• Figure out the best rhetorical version of you• Look over the limitations of the profile

template• Arrange so that you fill in the template in a

way that puts the best you forward.• When in doubt, again, omit. Less is better

than including things that will detract.

Login

• Pull up your LinkedIn profile.• Read it, slowly and carefully.• Think about who and what you see. Is

THIS who you want to be in the eyes of potential employers?

• If so– you rock! • If not– let’s talk about changes.

Pair up and offer critique

• Play the role of the employer.• What sticks out to you? • What do you want to know more about?• Does this person’s identity seem

consistent? • What would you ask the person in an

interview based on what you see here?

Thanks for coming!