Potential employer: “So, are you on Twitter?”
If this would be your reaction, then please sit down and get comfortable–this one’s for you. Twitter is where you let loose, fool around with your real life and virtual friends, discuss marriage, salaries, loose boys and girls, and then endlessly repeat the cycle. Instagram is where you flex on your friends and acquaintances, and Facebook is where you go to show everyone love when it’s graduation or wedding season. We get it.
However, employers know that you have multiple social media accounts and they’re increasingly starting to look to these accounts to get a better picture of who you are. They will most likely google you if you’re a shortlisted candidate, and so it’s helpful for you to have an active LinkedIn account so they can find out more about you because LinkedIn is essentially your virtual resume. Here are some more reasons to get a LinkedIn account:
- Employers are beginning to ask job candidates to include their LinkedIn profiles in their applications. This is probably because they want to know more Anyone that views your profile can learn about your skills, network, as well as groups and causes you’re interested in.
Job application with section for candidate’s social media profile details
- Employers and also headhunters/recruiters are starting to recruit on LinkedIn. Online recruitment is relatively cheaper than listing vacancies in the Daily Graphic, JobWebGhana or Jobberman and also gives employers a more holistic view of potential employees. They’re not waiting for you to apply, they’re looking to poach you on LinedIn, so it’s best invest in a LinkedIn profile to make sure they can find you.
- Even if you have a job, it’s great to be present on and a little active on LinkedIn because it builds your professional network and helps you keep up with news in your industry (depending on your connections and the groups you follow)
If you pay a little attention to your LinkedIn profile, it could even be more than a token social media profile. It could be a source of valuable professional opportunities and possibly your next job or entrepreneurial opportunity!
