Getting the job was all social – and by that, I don’t mean the old adage, ‘it’s not what you know, but who you know’, I mean ‘social’ as in social media. It turns out I’d managed to make a good impression on social media (in particular, Instagram) and this had helped me stand out from the crowd.
Before even considering me for the job, our CEO had performed some cyber sleuthing, and after getting an idea of my professional background through LinkedIn and my social prowess through Instagram and Twitter, she was confident enough to make contact about a potential role. From there I’d like to think it was combination of witty charm; pure luck and a common love of pineapples and pugs that landed me a golden ticket into the world of The Red Republic as their Digital Marketing Coordinator.
The point I’m trying to make is I was practically being interviewed for a job without even knowing it and the only thing doing the talking was my online presence. So without further ado, I’ve put together my top 3 tips for making your Instagram #werk when you’re looking for work (and even if you’re not).
1. Keep it clean
By this, I mean exactly what you think I mean. When uploading a photo to Instagram, always do the ‘Family Dinner Test’ – that is, would you show this photo to your family at dinner? If the answer’s no, chances are it’s not going to help you build an image that will support you in your quest for the perfect job. Also remember those old taboos – politics and religion. Everyone has an opinion and trust me, no one really cares about yours – especially not on Instagram! These topics also have the potential to polarise people, which is not what you want.
2. Keep it simple
If you’re not exactly sure what a word means, or you’ve never actually used said word in conversation, don’t use it in your social media posts. Be yourself—people are drawn to authenticity.
3. Keep it short
It’s a well know fact that our attention spans are shortening and … oh hey, I wonder if the latest episode of Girls is out yet. But seriously, with the amount of content competing for our attention these days, you really need to keep it short and sweet if you want to keep people engaged.
In closing, a good social media account is never going to single-handedly land you a job (unless you’re Kim Kardashian), but it can sure cost you a job so make sure you consider how you come across on social media.
Go on, have a look right now with a fresh set of eyes and make sure you’re happy!
To stalk my online presence, hit me up on Instagram (@georgie_greg) or to congratulate me on landing my dream job (always welcome) email me at [email protected].
