Showing posts tagged with: job seeker
Digital marketing is an ever-growing field with plenty of job prospects and career opportunities. Whether you're just starting out, or want to switch to this field, it's important to understand the basics of getting into digital marketing. In this blog post, we'll discuss the necessary steps you need to take to become a digital marketer.
5 Top Tips To Become A Digital Marketer
To become a successful digital marketer, you need to have a good understanding of the latest marketing techniques, as well as the ability to apply them to the unique challenges of the digital space. Here are some tips to help you get started.
What Education Do You Need?
While it isn't a requirement to have a university degree, having an understanding of the basic principles and techniques of digital marketing is essential to your success. This includes search engine optimization (SEO), content marketing, social media marketing, email marketing, and more. You should also make sure you stay up-to-date on the latest trends and strategies in the industry. If you want to do a degree, or are considering your university options then marketing or a related field would certainly be useful. A degree is not as useful as having demonstrable knowledge of digital marketing tools and techniques and relatable experience is key.
Experience Is Key
Experience is another key component to becoming a successful digital marketer. Most employers will require some level of experience before hiring. Taking related jobs, doing freelance work or internships can provide great learning experiences. Having a good understanding of the industry and its various tools will give you an advantage when applying for jobs. Of course, this raises a challenge for new graduates who may have more qualifications than experience. Check out our previous post on how to demonstrate you've got the goods for our tips!
Upskilling Is Vital For Digital Marketers...
Digital marketing is a fast-evolving industry. As such, it requires a strong understanding of technology. You should become familiar with the latest tools and platforms in the digital marketing world, including analytics software, web design tools, and content management systems. You will work with many other people to provide clients with the best service and so it is really good to demonstrate your knowledge outside your specific job role. You can enhance your technical skills by reading about analytics or brushing up your writing or design skills. You could consider learning how to code HTML and CSS to help you understand search engine optimization for websites. Read more out more about upskilling here.
... And Get Certified To Prove It!
To demonstrate your knowledge and skills, you could consider getting certified in digital marketing. There are plenty of online courses and certifications available, such as Google Analytics, Social Media Marketing, and Digital Marketing Strategy. With a certification, you can show potential employers and clients that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the digital marketing industry. It's also important to have a good grasp of the latest trends, tools, and strategies in digital marketing. Keeping up with the latest information is key to staying ahead of the competition.
Network With Digital Marketers
Seeking out and networking with other digital marketers is a great way to learn more about the industry and stay up-to-date on the latest trends. You can join online communities, attend conferences, and join local meetups to connect with other professionals. Co-working spaces can be great too.Take Your First Steps Today!
Taking the right steps to prepare can help you land the job you want more easily. With the right knowledge and tools, you can be on your way to becoming a successful digital marketer. For more job seeking tips and tricks, visit the Dotgap blog page today and get ready for your new role.
Happy New Year! Now is the perfect time to start thinking of resolutions to help advance your career in marketing. As the industry continues to rapidly evolve and expand, setting goals for yourself can help you stay ahead of the competition and achieve the success you desire. Here are some inspiring resolutions that marketing professionals can set for themselves in 2023.
Top 3 New Year's Resolutions for Marketing Professionals in 2023: Expand Your Network
Having a strong network of connections is essential in the marketing world. Making new connections can help you gain access to knowledge and resources that you wouldn't otherwise have. Make a resolution to attend industry events and workshops, join networking groups, and reach out to other marketing professionals whether that is online or in person!
Stay Up-to-Date on Industry Trends
The marketing industry is constantly in flux, with new technologies and trends emerging on a daily basis. Staying up-to-date on the latest advancements in the industry can help you stay ahead of the curve and be more effective in your daily work. Make a resolution to set aside some time each week to research the latest industry news and trends. A major trend for 2023 seems to be the importance of short 'snackable' video content. 'Gen Z' are the first generation to have grown up with the internet through their entire lives. Dynamic digital content is more important than ever to keep users engaged! 2023 will require expert strategy and focus, read more from Google experts in this interesting article on 2023 trends.
Focus on Self-Improvement: Upskilling
As mentioned above, it’s important to stay current on the latest techniques and strategies. The best way to keep up in the fast world of digital marketing is to dedicate time each week to research and study. Make a resolution to focus on self-improvement and invest in yourself. Take an online course, read industry publications, and attend seminars and webinars to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and strategies. Stay accountable by scheduling 30+ minutes a week on your calendar that’s dedicated to industry research. Take this time to read industry newsletters, or listen to industry podcasts to see keep up with the latest marketing innovations. Check out our previous blog post Upskilling: What Is It And Why It Is Important For Me
Realistic And Achievable New Years Resolutions
The new year is the perfect time to set resolutions that will help you reach your goals and become a better marketing professional. Make your resolutions to stay up-to-date on industry trends, expand your network, and focus on self-improvement. With these resolutions, you'll be sure to have a successful 2023 in the marketing world. As always, Dotgap are on hand to help you find your next job and progress your career in digital media. Get in touch today for more information.
As we near the end of the year, we wanted to reflect on some of the most popular topics covered in the blog. From tips on how to get a job in digital marketing as a graduate to re-entering the workforce after taking time away to be a parent, we have tried to cover relevant topics for recruiters and jobseekers alike. Read on for a roundup of Dotgap's 2022 digital marketing blog.
The Recession, Cost Of Living Crisis and Digital Marketing
The economic climate has presented many challenges over the last few years. Businesses have had to adjust their strategies to accommodate changes in consumer behaviour and the availability of resources. People are likely to be more cautious with their spending during a recession so it is important to emphasise value over price. Companies must reduce costs while still achieving measurable results from their marketing efforts. Considering how the current climate will impact the marketing industry we can surmise businesses need to be mindful of budgets while maximising technologies that can help reach their target audience. This includes leveraging social media platforms to build relationships with potential customers, as well as utilizing search engine optimization (SEO) to make sure they're visible in online searches. This can also be a difficult time to be looking for a job, raising questions about the impact on remote and flexible working arrangements.
Changing Jobs For Your Career
Changing jobs can be a daunting and even confusing process. It can be especially difficult to know whether you should stay or go when you are thinking about the bigger picture in your digital marketing career. The first step is to assess your current situation and make sure you are making an informed decision. Consider your current job, the new job you are considering, and the implications of a switch in terms of salary, hours, and benefits. Once you are confident that the change is the right move for you, it is time to start the job search. Research potential employers and the job market, and make sure to update your resume and cover letter. Reach out to former colleagues and contacts to see if they have any job leads you may be interested in. You may also want to consider networking with professionals in your field in order to get your name out there. Once you are ready to apply for jobs, make sure you take the time to tailor your resume and cover letter for each job you apply to. After you submit your applications, it is important to follow up with employers, either through email or phone calls, in order to make sure they have your application and understand your skillset. If you are looking to relocate, make sure you take extra consideration. The last step is to prepare for the job interview. This means researching the company, its products, and its mission statement. Make sure to practice answers to common interview questions, and dress professionally. Finally, make sure to be yourself and be prepared to discuss why you are the right fit for the position.
Diversity in Digital Marketing Recruitment
Diversity, equity and inclusion have been buzzwords for the last few years now. But what does it actually mean in practice for businesses and candidates? There are lots of benefits for organizations to embrace diversity in the workforce, including but not limited to a wider talent pool and better representation. The recruitment process should be designed to ensure diverse representation. This means that the recruitment process should not be biased towards any particular group, and should avoid making assumptions based on gender, race, religion, or other characteristics. Digital marketing companies should strive to create an inclusive recruitment process. That means it is free from any kind of discrimination. A diverse set of applicants should be encouraged to apply, and the criteria for selection should be based solely on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant. Is digital marketing diverse enough? There is still a lot of work to be done and it is an ongoing task but there have been great advances in recent years. Constant review and evaluation is vital for continued development.
Mental Health At Work
Mental health is an important part of overall physical health and wellness. Unfortunately, it is often overlooked, and many people struggle with mental health issues in the workplace. Creating an environment where employees feel comfortable discussing their mental health and seeking help can help ensure that everyone is able to stay healthy and productive. There are a number of steps employers can take to create a healthy and supportive workplace. These include providing mental health awareness training, setting up an anonymous reporting system, and making sure to provide employees with regular breaks and vacation time. The increase in remote and flexible work has brought many benefits for people. But the blurred lines between home and office can make keeping a work life balance tricky. Employers should ensure that they are providing necessary resources and support to employees who may be struggling with mental health issues. This includes providing access to mental health professionals or offering flexible working hours. By taking these steps, employers can create a workplace that is open to discussion about mental health and supportive of employees who may be struggling. This can help ensure that everyone is able to stay healthy and productive in their work.
Digital Marketing Job Search In 2023
We started the year with tips on writing your CV in 2022 and many of these tips remain relevant. Automation remains one of the key trends in digital marketing recruitment. Automation tools can be used to streamline processes such as job postings, CV sorting, and candidate outreach. This can help businesses save time, money, and resources, and make their recruitment process more efficient. You need to optimise your CV for these tools too. Social recruiting is a growing trend in digital marketing recruitment. This involves using social media to find and engage with potential candidates. Companies can use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook to post job openings. They are increasingly using them to engage with potential candidates, and build their employer brand. Candidate, be aware of your presence online with a social media audit and make sure you are making use of platforms such as LinkedIn to bolster your credibility.Empty asphalt road and New year 2023 concept. Driving on an empty road to Goals 2023 with sunset.
Looking Ahead: Digital Marketing 2023
Digital marketing recruitment is changing, and it's important for businesses to stay on top of the latest trends. As a jobseeker it is important for you to be aware of these trends too so you can review your career progression plans and continue to grow in the workplace. Dotgap is committed to keeping media professionals in their industry. Head to our website for the latest vacancies. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas
The Bank of England has predicted the UK will enter into recession in the last quarter of 2022. Limited spending leads to little economic growth and unfortunately, recruitment is an area which will feel this hit sooner and harder than other industries. In spite of this, the world keeps turning and recruitment is still necessary during a recession. Even though candidates are likely to be more reluctant to leave their current jobs, plenty of candidates will still be graduating from university and looking for work. Some workers will be faced with the reality of redundancy or reduced hours. Recession recruitment then will play an important role in many lives.
So, what can you do to navigate the recession as a jobseeker? When there is an economic recession, finding a job can be a challenge. Successfully securing a new job requires patience, determination and the willingness to adapt to new working conditions and processes. Learning how to find a job during an economic downturn can help you navigate any potential challenges with patience and expertise. In this article, we discuss what a recession is, explore how to find a job during a recession and review some tips to help you during your job search.
Update Your CV To Stay Ahead In A Recession
The most important thing you need to do, you can do right now. Updating your CV should be part of your job search anyway, even in a booming economy there is fierce competition in the digital marketing industry. To elevate your chances of getting noticed, you need to update your CV and establish your personal brand. You should clearly and effectively communicate your knowledge, skills, abilities and experiences to your potential employers. Focus on your skills. When job opportunities are limited, the competition becomes even more fierce so it is important that you put together a strong cover letter to accompany your CV. This will help differentiate your application from other candidates. Your CV should demonstrate your work history, skills and any relevant achievements. For graduates with limited work experience, check out our previous blog post on how to demonstrate your value to potential employers. You can include any technical skills such as computer programs or any additional languages you speak. Just make sure you would be comfortable speaking those languages in the workplace!
What Areas Of Media Remain Lucrative in A Recession?
If your chosen career or industry does not thrive during a recession, you might need to consider looking for work elsewhere. Temporary jobs or those with transferrable skills to your dream career can help you gain valuable experience and build your CV for future job seeking. Some industries which tend to be recession-proof include education and law. Luckily, there are areas of the media industry which are proven to be recession-proof. Performance media offers the lowest risk return on media investment and so it is the safest form of advertising there is. Anyone with a website offering can justify highly quantifiable expenditure through performance media channels. We have already talked about the following areas being among the most in-demand marketing roles this year:- PPC Search
- Paid Social Media
- Programmatic
Level Up To Keep Up
In the highly competitive digital marketing and ad agency industries, you may find you have access to a wider range of jobs when you learn new skills. You can find many free resources online including podcasts which discuss the skills you are interested in learning. Spend some time determining if you need to brush up on certain skills to make yourself more marketable - it might be a brand-new skill or something you haven't utilized in some time. Review job descriptions for jobs in your field and industry, keep up to date with new technologies and trends and you can make yourself a more employable candidate both in the short term and when the economy picks up. Coursera, Udemy, LinkedIn Learning and Google Analytics are all great resources.
Networking (Always Networking!)
We've said it before, and we'll say it again! Networking is such a powerful tool. Seek out like-minded professionals and research events, both in-person and virtually. LinkedIn and Facebook both host professional groups and the opportunity to comment and engage with people in your industry and beyond. You can make use of both personal and professional social media to signal that you're open to new work opportunities. make sure you perform a social media audit to make sure you are putting out the best image you can. Connecting with and contacting people within your professional or personal networks is helpful when there is a recession as they may know about job opportunities that are not advertised online. Step outside your comfort zone and make yourself visible. If there is a thread, share relevant information as well as your own personal experiences and expertise. You never know where what doors that engagement may open up in your professional career.Act Now To Get Ahead
There is no time like the present. For more helpful articles like this one, head to the Dotgap blog: Upskilling And Why Is It Important For Me Why Is LinkedIn The Ultimate Career Tool Dotgap breaks the traditional digital recruitment agency mould and have a more thoughtful, considerate approach. We know the industry because we have all worked there ourselves. Get in touch today to see how we can help you.
Whether large or small, companies want to grow and maintain their position in the market. This means that marketing and promotional activity is absolutely essential for any business' success. Marketing jobs are growing at a faster rate than other industries and are expected to grow 10% in the next 10 years. This is great news for anyone looking for a marketing job in 2022.
Marketing Jobs 2022: Trends
One of the biggest trends for a number of years has been moving towards digital. The pandemic vastly accelerated the UKs digital transformation efforts. 2021 saw the majority of customer interactions taking place online. Companies needed to respond to increased online shopping and offer better web-based customer communications.
This lead to traditional marketing departments needing to rapidly adapt in order to keep sales afloat.
Throughout 2022, this digital demand has continued, digital marketing remains at the forefront of the most in-demand skills for recruiters and for learning.
Marketing jobs in 2022 can be found at all kinds of organisations, from large firms to startups, and companies will be looking for staff to keep up with demand.
So, what do you need to do to make sure you are equipped with the skills recruiters are looking for? First, we need to consider the most in demand jobs.
In-Demand Marketing Jobs in 2022
Some of the most sought-after positions at the moment are as follows:- Digital marketing managers
- Digital marketing specialists
- Social media managers
- Marketing managers and strategists
- Content writers
- Copywriters and content strategists
- SEO specialists
- Data analysts
Ramping up your skills in SEO, display ad, paid ads and marketing analytics, email marketing, mobile marketing and social media marketing can help you position yourself as an expert.
You don't need to be an expert in every area of digital marketing but you do need to understand the connectivity between each channel.
So, What Next?
Let's face it, digital isn't going anywhere, and as the industry grows, so will remote opportunities. This is likely to mean there are more jobs for you to choose from, but also that competition may be stiffer as companies will have a larger talent pool to choose from. If you are looking to upskill, try Futurelearn or LinkedIn Learning to get inspired and keep ahead of the competition. If you are looking for your next career move, get in touch with dotgap for the latest in digital opportunities.
As we are coming out of summer, the Christmas countdowns will be starting before you know it. The rest of the year has a tendency to slip away very quickly and if you are job hunting, you may feel as though everything grinds to a halt and you may as well wait until the new year to find a new job.
You may have even heard that companies don’t hire in the fourth quarter of the year because of the holidays. The truth is though, the worst time of year to find a job is actually over the summer, during the school holiday period.
Hiring remains relatively high across all sectors with a notable increase in hiring across hospitality and leisure, retail and media, marketing, advertising, PR and sales. These industries are the most active recruiters at the moment.
October through December are certainly very busy for businesses but companies all across the country will still be actively recruiting and keen to have open positions filled for the new year. On top of this, if you don’t find your dream job to apply for there are still plenty of things you can do to help get a job before the year ends.
Networking Can Help You Find A Job
Part of the reason the holiday season seems like a daunting time for jobseekers and hiring managers is the busy social side of the end of the year. It is likely your calendar will fill up with social events with friends, family and work events all vying for space. Instead of writing off the last quarter of the year to parties, why not make them work for you? 85% of job openings are filled through networking in the UK. Now, we aren't suggesting you try and network with your granddad at your Aunt Linda's Christmas lunch but you never know who you might meet at a holiday party. Someone might know of an opening at their work or put you in touch with a friend who's hiring. Consider taking business cards with you or connecting on social media. Keep it professional though - Linked In is best. For tips of how to network successfully, check out this article on networking at tech events.
Be Ready For Short Notice Interviews
As we have already mentioned, hiring doesn’t slow down in Q4. However, you need to remember that many employees take time off for the holidays and this can slow down the recruitment process while staff cover for one another. You might notice you wait longer than usual for a reply to emails. Don't let this put you off your efforts to find a new job. You may receive interview confirmation and a date with little notice. With staff off, it will be harder for companies to organise interviews. o, you should be ready to go at short notice. Read up on interview skills, think of answers to common interview questions and think about why you want to work for this company. When you get called in for an interview, you'll just have to focus on researching the company. You'll be able to go in armed with knowledge and feel confident you are prepared.
Get A Headstart On The New Year
Obviously, there are many reasons you may not find a new job by the end of the year but there are still reasons why you should be active in your industry during Q4. The fact that many believe there is no hiring in Q4 will work in your favour, you might find there are less applicants and you are more likely to land an interview. Even if your dream company isn't actually hiring until the new year, you will benefit from networking. It is a great time of year to network and if you are memorable, you might be the first person they bring in for an interview. You can avoid being lost in a pile of new year's applications.
Now Is A Great Time To Find A Job
The average time to hire in 2022 is 42 days. If you take into account the time on either side of that for you to find a new job, and to get ready to start, the whole process can take longer. By October, many companies will be making plans for the new year which includes seeing whether they need new staff. Instead of hiring someone in January, it’s much more beneficial to hire someone in the months before so their new hire can be fully onboarded and ready to contribute once the calendar rolls over. For your next opportunity, contact doptgap today and find your next job!A career plan is a list of steps you can take to help you reach your professional goals. It starts with knowing where your skills, talents and interests lie and figuring out what roles and industries these translate to. You can work with this information to work out what qualifications you need and work out what careers will meet your financial needs.
The process of making a career plan will help give you clarity. In today's fast-paced and highly competitive jobs market it can help you make choices and identify opportunities when they arise. Having a goal helps to keep you motivated and interested in your job.
But what does a career plan look like? How do you implement it? We've put together a short article for you to get you started with some tips on how to work with it throughout your career.
How To Start Your Marketing Career Plan
Start by identifying your field, or fields, of interest. Are you looking to get into design, social or strategy for example? Then, identify your goals. This is not a fixed goal, it is highly likely your interests will change over the course of your career, not to mention various life events potentially changing your perspective and needs. But, right now - what are your goals? Where do you want to be? Next, assess your current position and figure out what you need to do to start moving in the right direction. These steps should be more detailed (consider using the S.M.A.R.T. system) at first but will be more generic the further ahead into the future you are looking. Remember, marketing regularly adapts to changing market and customer needs so both you and your career plan need to be adaptable. There are so many different jobs in marketing and roles will vary between agencies and in-house teams depending on the size of the company and nature of the client. Identify any obstacles and how you might solve them. For example, if you lack a qualification, can you achieve this? Is it time to change companies to expand your horizons? How can you gain more experience? Finally, Write down your plan and you are good to go!
How To Implement Your Marketing Career Plan
You've written it all down, so what's next? Just move one step at a time, and be industry aware. Read books and articles, listen to podcasts and attend events related to your career plan and goals. Try to keep on to of new trends and technologies and take advantage of any opportunity you have to learn or improve your skills. All industries change and evolve, none more so than media, digital, tech and marketing. If your role or area of expertise becomes more reliant on technology you may find it harder to advance if you have limited technical skills. Remain flexible and evaluate your career plan from time to time. You may find your goals shift or a new route becomes available to you. Change is good.
It's Your Career Plan, Design It Your Way
Your career plan it just that, yours. You can refer back to it to help start your career and inform your moves if you feel you are stuck or ready for a change. Share your goals with your employer and ask them for advice. They might be able to identify opportunities or obstacles you have overlooked. Fore more on career progression and possible career paths, visit the Dotgap digital marketing blog for more!
This month, we have been talking about career progression and how you can change jobs to optimize your learning and build experience. But how do you demonstrate skills and talent when applying for a graduate role? In digital industries, marketing graduates are in a good position, as they know the latest developments and newest digital tech. Graduate employers are looking to recruit motivated applicants who have relevant skills and who will fit into their company culture. A good degree is a standard requirement and while some will look for certain technical expertise, most are focused on potential. The question remains, how can you find relevant ways to showcase skills like commitment, teamwork and motivation to learn without previous work experience in the industry? Read on for our tips:
# 1 Commitment
A key step in career advancement is to establish loyalty and commitment, not only to the industry but to your team and company. For obvious reasons, this can be difficult if you are applying for your first role.
Commitment gives you credibility and value as an employee. So how can you demonstrate these qualities using your life so far, before you become a marketing graduate?
- Make sure you demonstrate your passion and genuine interest for the industry. Is this just a job? Or the start of a career?
- If you spend your spare time, reading and even working on projects related to your field of work, make sure you include this in any application or interview -these sorts of activities demonstrate commitment.
- Talk about long term plans. Be clear about your plans and goals for personal development within the company!
- You can also join groups on social media such as Facebook or LinkedIn and engage with discussions
#2 Team Player
Working well on a team improves productivity as each member is working towards a common goal, and the company culture created is a positive one, encouraging members to celebrate each other’s accomplishments and motivate them. So, as a marketing graduate, how can you demonstrate you are a team player and available to help your colleagues?
- If you've ever played team sports, this is a great example of, quite literally, being a team player!
- Think about any group projects you might have taken part in over your educational career and how you communicated, organised and problem-solved with that group.
- Whatever your example, emphasise group successes and be clear about your actions and their contributions.
#3 Motivation
Hiring managers and prospective employers will be looking for motivation as one of their key attributes in any potential hire, especially in a graduate. This is your chance to show you have the drive to work hard and perform well. You need to show what motivates you at work and whether you are able to work on your own initiative. Without employment history in the industry, you can still demonstrate your motivation the following ways:
- Build an active presence in your industry on social media. Join groups and participate in discussions to show your interest and ideas
- Volunteering in a role which chares skills or in the industry is also very well received - you must be motivated to work for free!
- Think about the language you use on your CV when describing your accomplishments. Avoid generic verbs like "led," "managed," or "built" and replace them with word like "negotiated," "persuaded," or "appointed."
Marketing Graduates: You've Got This!
Getting a job as a marketing graduate comes down to this: Transferable skills.
Transferable skills are competencies that can be carried over from one activity to another. So don't undervalue your experience. You should get involved in a wide range of activities and work experience while you are at university to develop these skills so you can promote yourself to employers.
Are you a marketing graduate? Dotgap has a wide range of opportunities for you! Check out our current vacancies here.
Whether you are job seeking or have been headhunted, you are in a unique position to find out if a workplace is the right fit. This includes checking whether a company truly cares about diversity, equity and inclusivity. An inclusive workplace can look different for everyone. Here's our three tips on how to make sure your potential employer goes further than just ticking boxes.
1. Ask The Right Questions
Typically, a recruiter should be able to answer most questions you have. They work with the same companies over time and should know their processes and culture well. Think about what's important to you and pick a few key questions to ask. It is always a good idea to follow any phone calls with more detailed questions over email. Here are a few questions to get you started:- Do you take on school leavers and/or graduates as part of your talent pool development?
- What maternity/paternity cover is offered?
- If you are applying for a remote role, how does the company support inclusivity?
2. Be Specific About Your Needs
While you don't need to bare all on your CV, or divulge personal information in your interview if you aren't comfortable, it is important to express your needs to assess whether a company is ready to accommodate you. Consider talking to your recruiter if you are uncomfortable discussing anything at interview.
3. Make Connections
Check Facebook and LinkedIn for any groups or connections you can reach out to prior to any interview. People who currently work at the company or have previously worked at the company will be able to provide you with different insights into the working culture. They might also be able to offer you helpful advice for your interview. Prepare some questions to ask and be candid, you want to find out information from behind the scenes. Try these examples as a jumping off point:- What do you like/dislike about working at the company. (If they no longer work there, you can ask why they left if it is relevant.)
- How would you describe the company culture?
- How would you describe the work environment?
- What if any activities outside of work do you attend?
Company Culture: Trust Your Gut
What a company has published online, both on their website and social media provides key information on their DE&I policies. But it is important to dig a little deeper. You need to make a judgement on whether it feels authentic or not. Does it make clear, measurable commitments and report on progress? Check out sites such as LinkedIn and Glassdoor for more information on company structure and any potential red flags. Twitter and industry news sites can provide more relevant information on potential employers. Are senior executives leading conversations? Your instincts are usually right. so, don't forget to ask, express, and do your research! For the latest in digital jobs, head to dotgap now.There’s no escaping social media these days. Whether you use it for you career or not, you need to consider the implications of what could be decades of historical data available online about you. That fan blog you wrote when you were at school for example, or some outdated jokes exchanged with friends from the late noughties. We have talked about using Linked In to help get a job, but it is important you do not overlook other social media platforms as an active job seeker. All social media, used correctly can be great for job seekers. It could, however, be costing you interview opportunities. Recruiters and potential employers may actively search for applicants on social media when they are reviewing your CV so if you have an online presence, you need to make sure it is working in your favour with a social media audit. Read on to find out what you can do to give your social media the once over.
Five Tips For Optimising Your Social Media Presence:
Photo by Caio on Pexels.com
#1 Check Google
You may not think you have much of an online presence but you might be mentioned or tagged elsewhere, or perhaps you have an old profile somewhere you have forgotten about. Google your name and social media handles and remove any information you do not want public. Try setting up a free Google alert to let you if you turn up somewhere in the future.
#2 Privacy Settings Vary
Privacy settings vary from platform to platform, and are subject to change. If you are a job seeker or not it is a good idea to make sure you are up to date on what 'public' and 'private' means across your networks and what can be seen on your profile from outside your direct connections. Click here for a great article on how to protect your privacy settings online:
Photo by Yew Hui Tan on Pexels.com
#3 Be Consistent
Once you have established what is visible, you need to make sure there is consistency with the profile you have created in your job application and the profile that is visible in a search of your name. Make sure there are no obvious differences in basic information and, if you have time, you could think about sharing some content that is relevant to the job you are seeking or to support your interests and skills.
Photo by Vanessa Garcia on Pexels.com
#4 Be Mindful
Be mindful of how you might sound to potential employers when commenting. Try to get involved in conversations on Linked In or Facebook groups that are relevant to your field, but always time to consider your responses. Avoid political commentary or bad-mouthing previous co-workers or employers – jokes can be highly subjective so be aware of how things might sound out of context!
Photo by Lukas on Pexels.com
#5 Keep it Simple
Don't try and cultivate two or three entirely different identities. Simplicity is key and sometimes just making sure you are on top of your privacy settings is enough to keep your professional persona safe. Maybe you don’t use social media, or you are a social spectator, not posting anything yourself. This is certainly the safest option. However, you may want to make sure you are demonstrating the character and skills you want to put across for your job search, in the digital world especially, you might find no online presence would be detrimental to your job search.
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio