By: Ava Noble
In today’s digital age, your online presence could be just as important as your resume. More and more opportunities are starting to stem from connections via the internet. Learning ways to leverage this as a benefit to yourself is crucial going into this new era of the workforce. Whether you are looking for a full-time job, an internship, a strong network, etc., the most important way to stand out is to have a strong (and appropriate) online presence.
Here are a few things I have learned along the way that have helped me build my professional online presence:
Optimize Your LinkedIn
I am a huge believer in investing time into developing your LinkedIn profile. With Gen Z entering the workforce, I see LinkedIn becoming more and more prominent in not only networking but also in the actual job-hunting process. In the past LinkedIn was mostly perceived as a way to build connections and reach out to certain people in the professional world. But at least in my experience, I have been finding LinkedIn as a medium to obtain interviews and I have even landed an internship this past summer from it!
There are so many things that can be done to up your LinkedIn game! The first one I would recommend, especially if you are looking for an opportunity, is investing in a new professional headshot. There are plenty of opportunities to receive a free headshot here on JMU’s campus through the Career Center. Another thing I would recommend doing is filling out each section of your bio including the headline, education, experience, skills, volunteering, and more. This is an opportunity to shine a light on the awesome things you have been a part of that may have gotten cut out of your resume. Lastly, make sure you are staying active and engaged on the platform. Liking posts, following leaders in the industry, posting accomplishments, gaining connections, and much more.
Prioritize Creating a Portfolio/Website
Something I realized throughout college is how important it is to organize your past work and keep it in a safe place. When the time comes to apply for jobs, making an online portfolio is a game-changer. Having an aesthetically pleasing way to present all your hard work is impressive, and professional, and speaks volumes to future employers. A digital portfolio can consist of graphics, writing pieces, projects, or anything related to your field.
Consistency Among Platforms
Now, LinkedIn is not the only platform for job hunting, opportunity hunting, networking, and more. When using more than one platform such as Indeed, Handshake, etc., it’s crucial to stay consistent with your content and messaging. Make sure you have the same headshot posted for all of them, the same resume being displayed, and presenting a cohesive message varying on your current goal.
By following these steps, you have the basic building blocks for developing a professional online presence. As a college student, these are going to be the things that set you up for success in your future career.
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