Look at the above screenshot. Now look at it again; I assure you that it is quite real.
It was taken about a week ago on a day like any other. I was checking my LinkedIn profile when I saw the following update come up on my Home Screen:
‘
I looked through the above person’s profile and was shocked to find out that she had fifteen years’ worth of managerial experience in the accounting sector; such people, I thought, shouldn’t be unemployed.
Yet, she clearly was; the update sounded quite genuine.
Initially, it had a mere five likes and a couple of comments, offering the person nothing more than consolation and compassion.
I decided to wish her good luck, ‘Like’ the update it and share it with my network, with the hope that someone would be able to help out.
Within three hours, there were 792 ‘Like’- s and 221 comments, 30 of which of job offers.
This was taken today:
From a person who struggled to find a job, within a matter of days, she turned into someone who had at least fifty job offers to pick and choose from.
You might find the above story a bit too soapy to be taken seriously; nevertheless, lessons need to be learned, namely:
1. Business or Individual, SME or Conglomerate, you can no longer afford to neglect online social media
The reason for that is quite simple, really; if you ignore it, it will ignore you. We live in an era where ‘Buyer Beware’ no longer applies; the era of ‘Seller Beware’ is upon us. If you are not seen as being up-to-date with current trends and online media, you might be viewed as backwards and conservative; this might help you keep your existing customers but it will most definitely NOT help you gain new ones.
2. You have to use caution when dealing with online mediums
Regardless of what you do- the jobs you apply for, the projects you get involved in, the networks that you join, etc. - your online presence will always be assessed and put to the test.
And, no, it is no longer acceptable to have ‘drunk pics on Facebook because only your friends can see those’; there are various ways in which current and future employers and other third parties can get a hold of those (yes, they can even employ the Anonymous).
3. You have to show- off your skills and experience
Don’t worry about being shy and modest; that’s not going to impress anyone. A friend of mine used to say that modesty is for people who do not possess any other characteristics.
Do you honestly think that if the above person’s profile was not as thorough (15 years’ worth of managerial experience, skills, publications, etc.) she would have been offered those positions purely out of people’s compassion and genuine loveliness?
Short answer: NO.
4. You need to diversify your ‘friends’ and ‘connections’
As an example, several of my connections were recruitment agents who, too, ‘Liked’ the above person’s status which, in turn, made it available for other recruiters to see and offer the person some suitable positions; simple, really.
Considering the above, the social media of today seems to have evolved in quite a powerful weapon.
A word of caution, though; weapons can be used both defensively AND offensively.
Keep that in mind.
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