I posted two news videos before about an emerging occupation --- social media officer (one is in hotels; the other is in the public service sector). Today, I am sharing with you another Fox News video about a social media entrepreneur, a person who started a business by helping companies manage their social media presence.
Many job seekers have been using social media regularly, but having accounts on social networking sites or having great interest in a social media officer position alone will NOT qualify a candidate for the position. The challenge for candidates is how they can convince their potential employers that they are able to leverage the power of social media in business. Here, I am offering some more suggestions in addition to my previous discussions on social media job-search tactics and building a personal brand on social media. I hope the following suggestions may help.
Many job seekers have been using social media regularly, but having accounts on social networking sites or having great interest in a social media officer position alone will NOT qualify a candidate for the position. The challenge for candidates is how they can convince their potential employers that they are able to leverage the power of social media in business. Here, I am offering some more suggestions in addition to my previous discussions on social media job-search tactics and building a personal brand on social media. I hope the following suggestions may help.
- Be “sociable” on social media. A candidate needs to network with those social media professionals as well as potential employers. A social media professional very likely knows someone who is hiring. Most of all, how would an employer hire anyone for a social media officer position if this person is not really active on social media at all?
- Build a large network on social media. The larger the network, the more influence a candidate has on social media.
- Demonstrate the social media skills and knowledge on social media. For example, can the candidate communicate on social media in a professional manner? Once a candidate is hired, s/he will represent the organization on social media; so, being professional on social media matters. Does the candidate know social media? Have the candidate offered valuable thoughts and suggestions to help business use social media tools? Where does this candidate share his/her professional opinions? On blogs, online forums, or other social networking sites? It would be even better if the candidate has established a personal brand as a “social media expert.”
- Tie a candidate’s previous work experience with the social media officer position. An organization probably hires a social media officer to engage with its stakeholders on social media and/or to market the organization’s online reputation. Sales/marketing, guest-service, and administrative experience are applicable.
I think this is an interesting new idea for a budding job industry. So many companies and influential people use social media websites to promote their ideas and projects. I am extremely active on both Facebook and Twitter and think I would make a great candidate for a job like this. I have a pretty loyal following on Twitter and my fan-base is steadily growing. I have recently expressed interest in going into the Public Relations department because many people have commented on how promising I am as a promoter. I often get comments on how I am an extremely social person. The people I know and the connections I have to social websites, blogs and media sites and music industry professionals have gotten me pretty far.
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