Unless you’ve been living under a relatively large rock for the past 10 years, you will be aware of a small phenomenon called social media.
From communicating with friends, to helping you find your soul mate, social media has been touted as the solution to the challenges faced by the modern day global urbanite.
Not least in respect of career. A variety of experts insist that using blogs, Twitter, and other social channels will not only improve your online reputation, but also make you stand out to current or potential employers, and help you achieve your career goals.
All this is without even mentioning the holy grail of professional social media – LinkedIn. With over 300 million members, LinkedIn is promoted as the resource for professionals looking to connect and get ahead.
By developing an all singing and dancing profile, joining industry groups, and connecting with business leaders, social media gurus insist that professionals using LinkedIn have an unparalleled opportunity to move forward in their career.
But is this the case? How many hours do you have to spend crafting your profile on LinkedIn, writing your blog, or interacting with ‘key influencers’ on Twitter, before you actually see a measurable return in terms of your career?
98% of recruiters use LinkedIn to find candidates, making it a must for those looking for new career opportunitiesSome argue, too many. A recent article in City AM pointed out that for all those hours spent crafting your online profile, you could be spending time making real life connections. Further, that over-activity may actually be having a negative impact on your professional persona. Constant posting on LinkedIn or Twitter might indicate that you are not that professionally occupied, whilst connecting with people you barely know on LinkedIn could give the impression that your real-world connections are somewhat limited.
However, others point out that when managed carefully, social media can be a support to those looking to climb the career ladder. According to Viveka Von Rosen, author of “LinkedIn Marketing: An Hour a Day”, 98% of recruiters use LinkedIn to find candidates, making it a must for those looking for new career opportunities.
And, as long as it is productive, the benefits of working on a LinkedIn profile, blog, or even Twitter account can be huge. Creating a strong brand on social media means giving yourself a jumpstart when meeting people in the real world.
Getting your Twitter account up and running can be part of this. Additionally on LinkedIn, completing your profile, and joining groups related to your industry, helps spread knowledge of who you are and what you do.
In financial services there are a range of interesting twitter accounts to follow and potential groups to join on LinkedIn. Open exclusively to members of the CISI, the
CISI LinkedIn group is a good place to start. A hub of discussion and debate, it’s one way to get your name out there with your fellow professionals. And, as long as you pair it with some real-world networking opportunities, could help you get ahead.