Why you should spring clean your online profile
What do your garage, junk drawer and online profile have in common? They could all use a deep clean this Spring.
While it’s easy to get preoccupied with physical clutter — spring is a great time to think about cleaning up your online profile. Social media and online networking can be powerful tools in career advancement and job hunting, especially during a pandemic. Get started today with these tips from SAIT’s Career Advancement Services.
- Clean up your digital presence
Employers often use automated systems to see if a candidate fits with their company culture. It’s not just about your resumé anymore.- Check your social media profiles (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube) to ensure there’s nothing holding you back from making a positive impression.
- Google search yourself to see what comes up.
- Delete old profiles and websites that you no longer use.
- If you wouldn’t want a potential employer to see it, don’t post it!
- Make social media work for you
Social media is more than just fun and games, it’s a great way to connect with companies and brands you’re interested in.- Follow companies in your industry and like/share/comment on interesting posts to boost your own presence.
- Use social media platforms that align to your career goals. Many writers have been discovered on Twitter, and visual artists on Instagram and YouTube.
- Stay current and active but be mindful of what you post and how often, so your connections don’t tune out.
- Grow your skills, not just your network
Tap into a wealth of online resources to learn new skills. Why not register for a course or learn something new from a video tutorial?
- Explore virtual courses offered in the evenings and weekends at coned.sait.ca to learn new skills in a way that fits your busy schedule.
- Plan for your next career move. Scan job postings for the next position you’d like to apply for and identify any gaps between your experience and what employers are seeking.
- Send an email or message to others in your industry and ask what type of professional development they’ve taken or would recommend.
- Sharpen your writing
Most online communication involves written text such as emails, chat messages, online learning and discussions. Improving your writing will improve your online impression.
- Think before you write — keep messages professional, meaningful and concise.
- Break up lengthy text into small chunks for easy reading, and always proofread.
- Spell out unfamiliar acronyms and avoid technical jargon.
- Register for SAIT’s Business Writing for Results course and learn writing skills from our industry experts.