Social Media Strategies

In chapters four and five, Josh Ochs discusses social media strategies that students can use to impress employers. He suggests "letting your  real self shine through," while carefully considering and curating "what the public can see when they search you." Importantly, he emphasizes that the great thing about social media is that we can control what others see and know about us. Separate social media handles can help separate personal from professional accounts, but consistency in the frequency of content an individual posts demonstrates thoroughness. This does not mean students have to become experts in every social media service, instead they should take what they already have and grow there.

"If it's online, people will find it." - Josh Ochs

Ochs suggests that students create great content to push the less savory "bad stuff" down in search results. Considering that advice, it makes sense to purchase one's own domain name and having others review it and provide feedback. This allows candidates to to own something online that can ultimately help them control what shows up on Google's front page. Also, creating a clear and concise bio will help people understand what your goals are. Critically, using a professional email address with the student's full name suggests professionalism to future employers.

To cultivate a positive online presence, Ochs suggests that students take a tasteful group photo to demonstrate their volunteer or professional development activities. Taking these photos and posting them within positive context provides "effortless, positive advertising" for the group and organization. He emphasizes that thanking the organization and complimenting those we work for shows integrity. When it comes time to create a resume, including a one-sentence description of the organization's role in its industry and explaining what accomplished in their position will provide an employer with context about the applicant.

"All jobs teach you something - even the worst jobs." - Josh Ochs

Including a letter of recommendation goes a long way in terms of representing an individual's character. Having another organization provide us with an endorsement has a far greater impact than self-promotion. Having a catalog of positive experiences posted online can give the savvy student a leg up in the hiring process.