What did they see on your Facebook page?

In today’s society, employers are looking deeper than your resume to find out what you truly represent. The paper resume days are behind us. Now, employers move to social networks to find out who you truly are through the information you publicize. Employers are realizing quickly by looking at your photos that the “outgoing” and “multitask” skills you claimed on your resume may be something different than what you led on.

Most professionals would give the advice to change your Facebook name, put up privacy settings, or delete your Facebook entirely. But I say let us take a different approach. Why not embrace the power of the Facebook resume. Think about it, a piece of paper with some general information about you can only go so far. But, if presented professionally, a profile full of informative and interactive photos, interests, videos, intriguing posts, etc. can actually work as a wonderful source to your advantage.

Let us take the time to do some spring cleaning and talk about a few revising tips toward a beneficial profile page. To begin, you must put yourself in an employer’s shoes. Revise and delete all information that does not represent you well and replace it with information that does. Of course you should deter from displaying a false persona, and instead simply highlight your true professionalism.

How to go about this? Instead of posting links to funny Family Guy YouTube clips, try links to some of your favorite marketing articles or blogs. This shows you are career driven and taking initiative to learn outside of the classroom. Display photos and videos of your accomplishments, community service experiences, or unique talents. We are marketers after all, so we understand the idea of displaying value. Let us not forget this when it comes to our Facebook resume.

First, find relevant events within your industry or geographic locations. Chambers of Commerce mixers, seminars and other local business networking events are found in nearly every community. Get over the initial inertia and just go introduce yourself to someone. Move past the small talk and ask open-ended questions with substance. People actually like being asked about their business, and what they do for a living, so ask questions such as:

• Why did you become a lawyer (doctor, salesperson, etc.)?
• How can I help you?
• How would I know if a prospect is right for referral to you?

What’s the biggest mistake you can make?
Don’t think of networking as a sales opportunity. Everyone at the event knows why you’re there, so think of it as a mission to learn something. Your sales and referrals will come later. And don’t be the one who holds up the wall and doesn’t talk to anyone. But the biggest mistake you can make is not following up with people you’ve met. Forget this, and you’ve wasted time, energy and money.

In person networking is a fun, change of pace from the frenzied world we live online (and real food tastes a whole lot better than virtual food!). Go in with a plan, have genuine conversations with the people you meet, and let networking flourish from there.

Photo credit by Murielle.