It’s a digital world, social media can make or break career

The pace of change is accelerating. For example, the development of mobile technology has played an important role in shaping the impact of social media. Across the globe, mobile devices dominate in terms of total minutes spent online. This puts the means to connect anywhere, at any time on any device in everyone’s hands.

With the fast moving pace of social media, one does not have to keep on depositing hard copies of their Curriculum Vitae at different offices just to keep people updated of the feats they have accomplished.

Desire Mbabaali Social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram Snapchat and LinkedIn help you create an online profile and build personal networks over time that connect you to different people.

Angela Kateemu, a communications officer with Oxfam Uganda, is one of the people who always thought of social media in terms of playful, unserious and light posts. One day it dawned on her that social media can be used to market oneself to potential employers through a friend who had met her employers that way.

“I had to rework what I directed my attention to on social media as well as create a LinkedIn profile that I was sure would attract employers. I got my current job through recommendations on LinkedIn,” she says.

Know who you are

What is your goal in making the profile of your company or yourself public? Samuel Bakutana, chief executive officer Inspired Leaders International, says, “You need to sit down and decide who you are, what your identity and purpose is, and the brand you are putting out there.

Before you put up your profile, you should decide what you want to be known as and known for.”

LinkedIn for instance offers the perfect opportunity for you to showcase for headhunters and create a personal brand.

It has specific feature where you can display your work history, search for people in your particular field, and even research on the company you intend to work for.

“After you have decided what you want to present to the public, start to post things that are in line with that identity, purpose, or brand,” Bakutana says, adding, “Make your platform a centre of empowerment in line with your career.”

For most people, the bottom line is making more money and advancing their career. In both cases, the truth is a must.

“Telling the truth about your skills and capabilities is often the thin line between advancing your career and stalling it. It makes no sense to say in your profile that you are quick at analytical thinking and coming up with solutions, when in real sense, you cannot sit still in a departmental meeting that lasts more than 30 minutes,” Kateemu asserts. If you run your own company or have a personal brand, then Facebook and Twitter are your best allies in growing your career.

Make sure you change your privacy settings so that the public can view whatever you post on your profile.

To see how others perceive you, type your name into a search engine and see what comes up. “In all, network with those that add value to your life and career as you also become of value to them.”

Tips on writing a profile

• Have a complete and up-to-date profile.

• Use a professional prolife picture.

• Keep your posts decent.

• Use good English grammar and spelling.

• Add all your experience including volunteering.