The dos and don’ts of social media networking
Category: Tips and Advice
Publish date: 07/04/2021
Today, social media is an integral aspect of job searching and networking. And it really should form a large part of the foundations for your transition from the military into civilian life.
As with face-to-face networking, there are many written and unwritten rules around online behaviour. Most guidelines for traditional practice still apply, but connecting with people through social media does bring some new rules to the table. And understanding how to conduct yourself in an online setting is crucial to enabling you to build and maintain a strong network that can help you find alternative careers.
Here are 5 tips for your to consider
Build lasting relationships Don’t network with people in the hope that they’ll immediately offer you a job. Focus on building a rapport first, as this is more likely to lead to communication and opportunities in the future.
Know your stuff Take the time to observe conversations in your feeds or networking groups before offering your opinion. Having a greater understanding of the dialogue will enable you to both contribute to and benefit from the discussion.
Show good etiquette Don’t make too many requests or demands of people you’ve only just e-met. Offer knowledge or insight of your own and always endeavour to return the favour if somebody helps you out.
Set yourself clear objectives Ensure you know what you want out of online networking. Understanding which social platforms you’d like to use (LinkedIn should be your first port-of-call) and what you’d like to get out of them will give your approach more structure and purpose.
Remain professional Don’t put any information you wouldn’t want your future boss to see on an online networking site. Ensure your brand is consistently professional and positive across all social media platforms at all times.
Social media is arguably the most powerful networking tool at your disposal. And as many of you seek alternative careers outside of the military, building and maintain your network on platforms such as LinkedIn could be crucial to your success.
For more information or support on how to effectively network using social media, you can arrange a meeting with your CTP Career Consultant at a time that suits you.