Social Networking
Social networking refers to the connection of individuals or organizations. Connections can come from education, values, ideas, financial exchanges, friends, web links, and more. A social network is the ties that connect varying individuals. Social networking services use software to build one’s networks online and form communities of shared interests, activities, and friends.
Employers are going online and searching for their candidates. They are using Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to influence their hiring decisions, and sometimes have even revoked a candidate’s employment after viewing his/her online profile. It is extremely important that you adjust your privacy settings on your social networking accounts, and make sure that there are no photographs, comments, or activities that you would not want a boss, or grandparent for that matter, to see. Also, remember that friends of friends have access to your account—and there are loopholes for employers to view your information. The safest way to make sure that you remain in good standing with an employer, is to not put objectionable material on your account (photographs, activities, piercings, alcohol, blogs, comments, etc.). What you post on a friend’s page, or what a friend comments about on your page, is all fair game for the employer to use as evaluation criteria.
Some examples:
Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and more!
LinkedIn is an online network of more than 30 million experienced professionals from around the world, representing 150 industries. LinkedIn’s simple philosophy: Relationships Matter.
Why Use LinkedIn?
LinkedIn is a great social networking tool for career management, personal branding, resumes, and to use in your job search. LinkedIn can help you grow your network and keep in touch with friends, family friends, professors, supervisors, coworkers, and more. Many companies are also using LinkedIn from a recruiting standpoint. Should you be interested in starting your own business, LinkedIn is a great tool for business development. If you attend any events or professional meetings, you can use LinkedIn to then connect or arrange face to face meetings with individuals attending or in the area. One of the helpful areas of LinkedIn is the vast number of groups; make sure to join and utilize the groups to find others interested in similar areas as yourself. You can also research and gain information on popular jobs, companies, and industries.
LinkedIn Grad Guide Video Series
Video 1: Get Started with LinkedIn
Video 2: Building Your Professional Brand
Video 3: Finding Your Career Passion
Video 4: Building Your Professional Network
Video 5: Turning Relationships into Opportunities
Video 6: Researching and Prepping for Interviews
For more information please log-in to your Job Finder account and access the Social Networking Privacy podcast.
Maintained by webmaster@wpi.eduLast modified: October 26, 2012 10:11:28