Do you have a social media presence? What does it look like? Universities and employers alike are using social media to “check out” their candidates. Everything from your email address and voice message to your pictures and comments on Facebook or other social media sites are available for public scrutiny and feed into your public image or “social entity.” They can make or break your opportunities for admissions or landing that job.
Just as different people have different perspectives on issues, different generations view and address issues differently. The kind of abbreviated spellings or language that you use with friends is altogether different from that you must use with admissions office staff or potential employers on any emails or text messages. Coaches, admissions advisors or employers do not want to “wait while your party is located,” when they call your cell phone. Get rid of it! Be sure your message is clear, concise and professionally appropriate. Your email address should also be professionally appropriate.
Now ask yourself these questions and consider who may be on the other side of the computer monitor checking you out. What does your “social entity” look like? What do you need to do to make yourself more marketable?
Your social media image can provide lots of insight to your character and work ethic. That’s why institutions now hire people to scrutinize their candidates’ media presence. The competition out there for college admissions and for the job market is tremendous. So make yourself more marketable by scrutinizing your own social media before you put it out there for others.