the most important aspect i've learned about writing a resume and even a cover letter for a potential job is to seem as genuine about yourself as possible. i was always told that you want them to want you even if you're not so sure you want them. i feel like some people either take this to the extreme or don't follow it at all.
i know a few people that are so worried about how they are portrayed on the internet that they detag almost all photos on facebook, just in case a professional contact happens to stumble upon their profile. they are so worried that they don't even let their personality show through in the interests and activities section where they are the only ones in control of what is written. no matter how much i think about it i cannot relate to these people, so much so that i've questioned a hundred times over what the difference is between professional and personal contacts. obviously there has been a difference, but in my reality i believe anyone can become a professional contact in some way or another. because of the evolution of social media and websites such as LinkedIn, it has become so much easier to advance your career through family and friends (which to my understanding are traditionally classified as personal contacts) than in the past.
but then there are the ones that don't hold any standards on the internet at all. in my experience i've noticed that younger generations more so than older ones, are those with no sense of professional behavior. my brother is 18 and some of the girls he has gone to high school with have posted many blogs and pictures that i would never even want family and friends who have known my personality for years to see. posting these types of things dilutes the actual personality that these people might have and leaves little up to the imagination.
branding yourself through social media can be difficult for some and requires a bit of work for others but i think that if you try too hard to control things you seem too clean and disingenuous. but on the other hand if you need some type of control and act otherwise there are obviously going to be consequences.
..and just for fun i'd love to be around when those kids try to get jobs in the real world
Good post! I agree with your opinion. writing and posting just like you do will be good somehow
ReplyDeleteBecca, I think your on point with this post. People need to be aware of what they post on social mediums because you can get yourself into a lot of trouble both socially and professionally. First impressions are very important and if you don't represent yourself properly it makes getting a job that much harder. Rawwwwwwwwsssssssseeeeee.
ReplyDeletegirl i gotta watch my back, cause im not just anybody
ReplyDeletei like your point about being genuine. people can truly tell when you are just faking it, and interviewers are people too.
ReplyDeletealso, is that a picture of a brand or a tattoo?
I really like your post bec, as said in previous responses you are on to something. The general perception of a prospective employer may most definitely be adversely effected by the posting of illicit material online. In addition to the almost viral popularity of social networking sites that provide sometimes uncanny views into the proverbial bedroom window of so many peoples lives, no wonder why it’s become almost a standard for employers when considering a new hire. Although as you’ve hinted at before there should be a healthy balance struck between fun, ambitious, and outgoing portrayals of oneself from complete loss of control and logical thinking patterns. Speaking from one of the viewpoints of a person who aspires for a job that requires ones self to be almost superhuman and one of those “no matter how much I think about it I cannot relate to these people” person I can see both sides. Although a brilliant person once told me that while aspiring towards something you think you want, you hold back too much and by doing so your not actually “living” you life but just closely and overbearingly trying to manage it. Point being just stop over thinking it and just have common sense, while being you!!! Good Stance -
ReplyDeleteI agree that you're supposed to let your personality come through on social networks but you can't completely mix business with pleasure. I'm sure there are aspects of your personality that you wouldn't want your boss to know about.
ReplyDeleteYou Really Lay out The Golden Rule 2.0 "Do Unto Others As you Would A Professional Contact!"
ReplyDelete