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Succeed in the workplace
Succeed in the workplace

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5.2 Getting started with social media

Photo of a woman sat down with a laptop, thoughtfully staring at it.
Figure 14 Social media

Social media can be a very useful for widening your existing networks and therefore career opportunities. So, even though you may feel wary about using them, it is worth considering giving them a go.

Here are some tips to help you:

  • Dip your toe in the water by exploring social media sites on a need-to-know basis
  • Limit the amount of time you give to it
  • You can preserve it only for career development purposes
  • Log in to social media sites to see who’s who and what’s what. It’s fine to watch from the wings before making your appearance.

If you do take the plunge, bear these tips in mind to help you use the sites wisely:

  • Be careful about what information you share and with whom
  • Don’t accept new friends, followers or contacts with ‘no questions asked’
  • Project yourself in a way which does not undermine your credibility at work
  • Avoid detrimental comments about colleagues, past or present, and people who have interviewed you
  • Think about the tone you use in your communications.

Before moving on, this next activity will give you the chance to find out more about Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn.

Activity 4 How can I use social media to help me?

Timing: Allow approximately 15 minutes

Use the following online resources to find out more about Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Jot down thoughts in your notebook on how you might like to use them.

  • Visit this website to find out more about Twitter and how to get started.
  • Finally, visit this website for more on how LinkedIn can help on with your career development.

Comment

Hopefully, you now feel better informed about the potential that social media has to help you in your career development. You may want to dive straight in or just dip your toe in the water. Whatever you decide, remember to use social media wisely to help you.

In the next section, you will return to your networks and bring together, in one place, all the information that you have gathered so far.