Social Media Profiles Are The New Cover Letter: How To Get Yours Right, Stand Out Like A Star And Land The Job Of Your Dreams

Gone are the days of submitting your resume and cover letter and calling that: “applying for a job.”? Today, employers are looking for an extra edge, for your humanity, and for what makes you tick. We hire people after all, not machines.

In comes social media: the ultimate look inside who you are, what you believe in and what makes you you.?

Here’s a pro secret: before your potential recruiter, boss or CEO even downloads your resume or scans your cover letter, they will search your name. Your LinkedIn profile will pop up, maybe your Twitter, perhaps your Instagram profile will appear right in front of their eyes.?

Are you proud of what’s there? Are you putting your best foot forward to a potential employer?

The key to nailing social media and secondarily, manifesting your ideal career opportunities, is to be proactive and infuse your expertise, value, personality and humanity into your online presence.?

Proactively Positioning Your Social Media Presence

I always say, “If what you’re posting isn’t okay for your future boss to see, then you probably shouldn’t be posting it at all.” Social media is no longer just “social media” - social media is the internet. What you put out into the world, stays in the world.?

Now, this isn’t to convince you to create a 2D, ultra-professional looking social media presence, because that’s what your resume is for, right?

As an employer, I am not looking to hire human doings. I am looking to hire real human beings. I want to envision the type of person I am working alongside.?

Of course they have to be able to do their job and have the right talent, but they also need to add value to the company and fit in with our culture. The way I, and any other employer, can truly find that fit is by viewing your holistic online presence.

Use social media as a way to tell your whole story. It is the 360-degree package of who you are that brings that extra level of authenticity and humanity to your application. Whether it’s LinkedIn or Clubhouse, TikTok or Instagram, there are so many opportunities to share yourself and talk about your know-how.??

Quick Tips to Nailing Your Profiles

Optimizing your profile? is a secret sauce when it comes to enhancing? your social media presence.?

Step one: Profile photos and a memorable bio are a must. Since social media is all about making connections, your profile photo should reflect who you are, and so should your bio. Choose a high quality photo that can be used across all social channels to increase your searchability. Beef up your bio with relevant successes and links to any of your ongoing projects or events.?

Step two: Update your website link to something relevant. Think: a personal website, the link to your Medium account, maybe you’re an actor with a reel compilation on Vimeo, drop the link in your bio!?

Step three: Be accessible to potential recruiters. Include links to your other social accounts, email, and website to keep the conversation flowing. In other words, make it easy to connect outside of social.?

Step four: What you share on social media is a direct reflection of who you are. Create content, be an active participant in engaging and sharing other people’s content and you will stand out regardless of if you’re looking for a job.?

You have the tools, now get optimizing.?

Moving Past the Print

Circling back to your actual cover letter, this should be the vessel to share your experience and your talent. But why stop there??

Infuse your cover letter with calls to action to check out your work and other accomplishments. Whether it’s your blog series, your podcast, your website or even your SoundCloud, you can direct people to these mediums to help paint a fuller picture of who you are.?

At the end of the day, you are a three dimensional, living, breathing being and it’s your job to translate this to your one page cover letter… and beyond.

Put This into Practice

Now is your chance to test out some of my tips in real life. SimplyBe. is hiring, and we’re ready to see the magic you can bring to our table. We’re currently looking for a Senior Manager of Editorial and a Public Relations Manager to join the SimplyBe. rocketship.?

Submit your resume here, and get ready for your career to take off.?