As the spring semester begins, internship applications and deadlines are approaching fast. While cover letters and resumes are key components in your job application, student social media pages also play an important role.
LinkedIn is perhaps the most important one when it comes to getting a job, according to Associate Director of Employer Relations for the School of Communications, Ashley Pinney.
"It's this great tool for networking, and a really popular tool among employers to find candidates," Pinney said.
The site can serve as a great way to set up an appointment with Elon alumni or someone in your field.
"It's really powerful for informational interviews," Pinney said. "You can find alumni who live in different cities, who work in certain industries, and you can connect with them."
Pinney advises students not to label their description on the site as "student at Elon." Instead, Pinney suggests students list either their highest position at Elon or what they are aspiring to be in the coming years.
The Student Professional Development Center (SPDC) said the three most common mistakes students make on social media are these:
1. They don't Google themselves to check and see what content potential employers will be able to find with a quick search.
2. They post inappropriate pictures of themselves drinking or surrounded by alcohol.
3. They do not include a professional photo of themselves on their LinkedIn page.
Relating to number two, all students must remember to portray themselves as genuinely nice people on social media.
"Definitely avoid negativity, no one wants to work with a complainer, a whiner, someone who has an opinion about everything," Pinney said. "Be positive, be uplifting, only post things that are positive."
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