Your Personal Social Media Brand Is the Key to Unlocking Job Opportunities

Do employers really check social media when evaluating job candidates? Absolutely!

Leveraging the potential of social media platforms is vital for establishing a distinct personal identity and making your mark in any industry. This is especially true in the world of remote tech work. Technology workers are expected to be tech savvy, and nothing says “tech” to a potential employer like a comprehensive and professional personal social media brand.

Just as a company brand on social media stimulates business growth, a personal brand generates many opportunities to achieve professional objectives.

Developing a personal social media brand is not an overnight endeavor, however. Consistent effort is required, along with employing a strategic blend of tactics. Here are valuable insights to guide you on how to effectively establish your unique personal brand on social media to attract the attention of potential employers to launch your remote tech career.

Make yourself easy to find

In the digital age, you must make yourself easily discoverable on social media as you build a strong personal brand. One effective strategy is to learn about keywords and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) techniques. By understanding the keywords and phrases relevant to your industry or expertise, you can optimize your social media profile and content to appear higher in search engine results.

Start by conducting keyword research to identify the terms commonly used by employers and industry professionals in your field. Look at job postings on the major job boards, such as Indeed.com and Monster.com, to identify common terms in job descriptions for the position you are seeking. Incorporate these keywords strategically into your social media profile, bio, headline, and content. This increases the likelihood of your profile appearing when recruiters and hiring managers search for candidates with specific skills or qualifications.

Be honest, of course. Don’t claim a skill you don’t have. But don’t miss out on an opportunity by using uncommon terms to describe your skills.

Additionally, focus on creating valuable and relevant content that aligns with your personal brand and showcases your expertise. Regularly publish posts, articles, and blogs that utilize the identified keywords appropriately. This not only enhances your online visibility but also positions you as an authority in your industry.

Avoid or eliminate negative social media posts

Maintaining a professional and reputable online presence is crucial when it comes to impressing potential employers who stumble upon your social media profile. Ensure that your identity remains untainted by avoiding any association with pornography, criminal activities, offensive language, dishonest job qualifications, poor communication skills (such as grammar and spelling errors), or malicious posts about past employers or colleagues.

Instead, take the opportunity to showcase your professionalism, positive attitude, and strong work ethic through your social media presence. Share industry-related insights, engage in meaningful conversations, and highlight your accomplishments and skills in a genuine and authentic manner. Remember, your online presence is a reflection of your personal brand, so make sure it aligns with the image you want to portray to prospective employers.

Be active on a limited number of platforms

Interact actively with your audience by initiating thought-provoking questions. Participate in meaningful discussions. Reply to comments. Engaging in conversations. These actions can yield remarkable results when it comes to establishing your personal brand on social media. This approach fosters a strong connection with your followers, cultivating their loyalty and deepening their engagement with your brand.

A prime example of effective audience engagement is demonstrated by Rand Fishkin, co-founder and CEO of SparkToro, a software company specializing in audience research. Mr. Fishkin consistently showcases responsiveness and attentiveness when addressing people who reach out to him via Twitter. By promptly acknowledging and responding to their inquiries or messages, he not only demonstrates his commitment to his audience but also nurtures a sense of trust and authenticity.

While being active and responsive, don’t spread yourself too thin. Target one or two platforms that traditionally draw the kind of professional audience to which you want to market yourself. LinkedIn.com is generally considered the premiere professional social media outlet. Twitter and Facebook are also respected platforms for professional networking. The more sites you are on, the more work you have to put in to publish content, participate in discussions, and respond to followers. Tight and deep are more effective strategies than broad and shallow.

Build your network of professional contacts

Merely having a profile on even the best sites isn't sufficient. Your goal is to build a strong network to fully leverage the platform’s power.

To expand your connections and maximize your online presence, proactively reach out to well known people in your target field. Take the initiative to contact potential connections, including alumni, industry peers, and individuals with relevant experience. Personalize your messages to foster meaningful connections, recognizing that the effort you invest will yield proportional results.

Engaging with content on your platform is another effective strategy. Comment on posts, share articles, and create your own content to demonstrate your active participation and grab attention. Your network will expand as you put yourself out there.

Final Thoughts:

Your personal social media brand plays a crucial role in unlocking job opportunities. Employers regularly check social media, so it's important to strategically build and manage your online presence. Make yourself easily discoverable by optimizing keywords and SEO techniques. Avoid negative posts, and maintain a professional image. Actively engage with your audience on select platforms, especially LinkedIn, to expand your network. 
Ultimately, you are marketing yourself and your skills. You cannot be all sizzle and no steak. You need solid skills to break into the remote tech job market. RemoteMode’s remote learning programs can give you the skills you need to make your personal brand relevant and attractive to employers looking to hire in the technology sector. Contact a RemoteMode career advisor today to discover how marketable skills can combine with a professional social media profile to launch you into your dream job.