Use Social Media to Accomplish Your Career Goals

Opportunities to connect and interact online have exploded as entrepreneurs have used  technology to create and expand the World Wide Web’s social media space. Initially, the  terminology and website names may be as unfamiliar as a new foreign language. But, by familiarizing yourself with the variety and purposes of the different types of social media, you  will be able to determine how to leverage them to your advantage.

Do your homework
“Web 2.0” and “social media” are umbrella terms used to describe a variety of applications that facilitate interactive information sharing and collaboration on the internet. Understand  what type of information you want to share and the best types of sites to use. Because the information is shared and remains in the public sphere for potentially years, selecting  appropriate, site-relevant and accurate information is important for the “identity” you are  creating for yourself. Each site has a set of protocols or etiquette that must be followed.

LinkedIn or Plaxo: These sites host professional profiles of contacts for business networking.You can build connections with people you know through work, school or volunteer work. Members may also share information about communities and current  projects or areas of interest. This is more selective. You don’t want to try to connect to  people you don’t know or you can be dropped.

Blogger: Millions of blogs exist today, websites that offer regular entries of commentary, news, pictures, music, audio, and video. Blogs may be personal in nature, on particular topics, aimed at particular audiences, or sponsored by companies or organizations. An important part of many blogs is the ability for readers to interact and comment on the entries.

Twitter: A micro-blog, Twitter is typically used to stay current on specific topics or people, or from a professional standpoint, those who are knowledgeable in different industries, specific subjects, politics, or the arts. Entries are short – 140 characters or less. You can simply follow to stay informed; it is not necessary for someone to connect back to you.

Facebook: Historically, Facebook has been used for staying connected to friends and family. You have more control over who you allow access, but remember once access is granted, the information is shared with everyone. Now businesses, colleges and  not-for-profit organizations are allowed to create Facebook Pages as brand profiles to build communities of Fans for communication and marketing purposes.

YouTube: A site where anyone can upload videos of all kinds and allow them to be shared. Others can comment on videos, rank them, or upload a video response.

Razume or ResumeSocial: These are two of several social resume community sites  where you can build your resume, then upload it for others to review it and make suggestions for improvement.

Wikipedia: a web-based encyclopedia, provides a good overview of social media, though in true Web. 2.0 collaborative style, the article is a work in progress.

Clarify your goals
One of Stephen Covey’s habits of highly effective people is:”Begin with the end in mind.” Social media are a means to an end, not the end itself. Before tackling the array of  options available, it is important to define what you want to accomplish through the  use of Web 2.0 tools. This is important because you are beginning to establish your online identity or “brand.” Here are some questions to consider as you decide where you want to begin:

1. Is this for fun or for professional purposes? We will explore more professional considerations below. However, if you begin for fun, remember that it is hard to eliminate something once it is posted.
2. For what do you want to be known for as a professional in your field? Identify strengths and areas of expertise, especially if you are proficient in a leading edge technology or topic.
3. What do you want to learn about? Identify new developments in or related to your career field or job function.
4. From whom would you like to learn? Identify leaders in your field, local experts as well as national and international authorities. Do they have a blog? Are they tweeting on Twitter?
5. How much time do you plan to invest? Staying connected requires a commitment. Don’t try to do it all at once, and be sure to see how it fits in your priorities.

Address time, place and security issues
These are interactive technologies, and beware – they can absorb your curiosity and time quickly. Like any technology, social media can be used in productive or unproductive ways.  Once you decide which social media to use based on your goals, create a strategy to monitor,  update and interact online.

Deciding where to access sites is also important. Your employer may restrict access to these sites, and companies do have a right to monitor the online activity of employees.  When social media is used and encouraged by a company, make sure that you are following the guidelines established and using time at work for job or company-related tasks. Leave the socializing and your individual professional networking for outside  company time.

Is it wise to allow access to all internet-based information about oneself? Of course,  avid social media types would advocate that more is better; but not necessarily so. You may choose to keep personal networking sites and information accessible to friends  only, so colleagues, potential employers and recruiters see your professional side only. On the other hand, many young adults tend to combine personal and professional  purposes for their Facebook or Twitter accounts. They need to manage their online  presence by monitoring the type of information they share. And you would be wise to  keep track of where you have created online profiles and update them as necessary to  keep them current.

Learning the ropes
To learn how to use social media sites, click on the online Help or FAQs on the site itself, or perform an online search using the name of the site and “how to use” as keywords.  There are a variety of websites, videos and slide presentations that explain the basics or offer online tutorials to get you started. Getting a good foundation now can keep you  competitive.

Social media have provided some exciting ways to create a professional presence by  connecting and interacting with others across the internet. By knowing how to use these  sites and technologies safely and to one’s advantage, you can expand your connectivity  with others and enhance your career.