You should think long and hard about whether sharing your social media channels is relevant to the role you’re applying forCould all those hours spent scrolling through the Fluffington Post’s cat videos, commenting on every one of your fiends holiday snaps, sharing funny memes and re-tweeting Ed Balls’ first Twitter message really help you get a job?
Employment experts Job Today have worked out how you translate those ‘social skills’ into a face-to-face job interview.
Firstly, should you share any of your social media accounts with potential employers?
It is completely up to you; marketing is a core value in most businesses so showing that you understand personal branding could be a potential winner. However, you should think long and hard about whether sharing your social media channels is relevant to the role you’re applying for; some of the more personal channels such as Facebook probably aren’t beneficial to your role whereas your Twitter and LInkedin profile could be a great way of communicating some of your work, personal interests and attributes.
How to be ‘social’ in your interview:
‘Like and Comment’
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You don’t want to be that annoying family member who comments on every single photo on your feed. Remember, 93% of communication is nonverbal so don’t get nervous and comment on every single sentence. Listen to your interviewee and engage with positive body language and appreciation, commenting when you have something valuable to say and when answering their questions.
The quote-tweet
Showing that you appreciate and agree with your interviewer’s point-of-view or question is important in an interview situation. Distill the essence of their statement and put it into the context of your career, or relate it to a skill of yours, maybe even a hobby.
For example: if they say that teamwork is the key to a successful working environment, you could mention that you have previously teamed up with colleagues to work through specific problems, or that you have been a member of a local sports team for a number of years. This will show that you understand their point much more effectively than simply repeating what they say.
The emoji
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Unfortunately, unicorns and aubergine emojis won’t help you in this situation. However, creating an emotional connection with the interviewer can show your enthusiasm so pay attention to their body language and respond to their points and questions with meaningful emotions and reactions.
The hashtag
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The concept of the hashtag is to simplify a message and signify meaning. Before your interview, make a list of your relevant traits, experience and attributes and condense them into memorable hashtags. These will help you focus on the important and relevant points during your interview and ensure you communicate your useful experience and skills.
The poke
Although a number of employers admit to checking out potential candidates on social media prior to the interview, we wouldn’t advise hunting them down on their personal accounts and finding any mutual friends.
However, checking out your interviewers LinkedIn profile could be much more beneficial. As well as being able to recognise them when arriving for your interview, you can also establish a good understanding of their role within the business and experience. It will also show your interest in the role and the fact you have prepared for the meeting.
Twitter polls
In early every interview, you will be asked if you have any questions for your interviewer. This is a great opportunity to show that you have engaged throughout the interview and have a real interest in the role and company.
A few great suggestions are:
- What are the main challenges or issues being faced by the company and how can I help?
- Can you tell me a little bit about the team I’ll be working with?
- What has been the thing that you personally have enjoyed most about working here?
- What are the next steps?
For more information on useful interview tips and advice, check out the Job Today blog https://jobtoday.com/gb/blog/
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