9 Steps To Improve Your Professional Profile On Social Networks

As important as updating the resume is taking care of your professional profile on social media. First, companies have increased investments in social recruiting, they know that talents are on the web, in specialized communities. Second, now these days social media allows for a much more comprehensive view of the candidate. What are your topics of interest, your family relationship, relationships with friends and so on.

Therefore, we have separated very precious tips to build your balanced and positive professional profile without losing your performance on other levels of your life.

1. Know what you’re using

Each social network has a reputation and asks for a different professional profile in behavior. Some are more associated with entrepreneurship and innovation. Others, networking, sharing knowledge in your professional area and so on. Some focus solely and exclusively on publishing images. You need to know the tools well so you don’t look like a fish out of water.

2. Don’t be daring

You can look like desperation or an egocentric careerist if you force a return at the wrong time. The great thing is to know how to expose everything you do or have done professionally. Show links to your projects, published articles, blog, websites, academic performances or at corporate events. If you have something to show, there is no need to “ask” anyone for a job. Take care not to be invasive.

3. Personalize your communications

Call people by name so that they feel prestigious and with a different treatment. If you only communicate massively with everyone without distinction, it is likely that soon people will feel used only to add volume to their profile. Prestige the content posted by coworkers and, if you believe it is relevant, help to share. People who use one-way social media, posting only what is of self-interest, are seen as “predators,” which is very negative. Always try to be collaborative.

4. Run after your interests

After solidifying your image, posting content, your projects and professional experience, go after the connections that interest you. For new relationships, explain the “why” of your request to connect with that particular person. Present your interest, who met you at a particular seminar or knows that she worked for a company that is of interest to you. Show what you have in common, be kind and honest.

5. Be sensitive when adding contacts

Some people make their profile public, others private. And there are those who really don’t mind mixing everything up and know how to handle it well: longtime friends with people they met the other day; relatives and former bosses. Before asking to be added, notice what her style is so as not to create embarrassment. To avoid gaffes, it is best, if you only have a professional relationship, to connect only on strictly professional networks. If the person you want a connection with is more outgoing, public, open, go ahead.

6. Avoid clichés and phrases made

To praise one’s own trajectory, to compare yourself to great thinkers, and to say what is already said is not good… Be thrifty in spreading and sharing self-help or self-esteem phrases. Avoid things like: “Talking about me is easy, being me is difficult”, “Your envy makes me famous”, “My biggest flaw is that I am a perfectionist” among other phrases of this kind. Anonymous notes and hints also demonstrate immaturity.

7. Respect each other’s time

After all, it was scarce for everyone. We have gained in the speed of information, but we have also become more connected, more ambitious (in the best sense) and, therefore, we can not always make that quiet chat. When you’re interested in connections to do business or get a new job, try to be objective without being harsh. After the “hi”, “okay”, ask if the person has a minute to answer it. And place your need. Everyone will understand your objectivity.

8. Create offline situations

Whenever possible, try to meet with people in your professional community personally. As cool as your network or your professional experience is, a handshake, a eye-to-eye conversation makes relationships much more tight. Attend seminars, business fairs, academic events and invite people in your network to create this more in-person interaction space.

9. Be careful with outburst

As tempting as it may be, in that moment of depression, the end of a loving relationship, hold on tight and don’t let off steam on social media. You will regret it later! Personal matters, only with close friends, in private messages or in that bar that has the most patient bartender in the world!