Social Media for Placement Networking: Before, During and After

Dalian Terry | @Dal_TPlacement Student

Sheffield Hallam Uni

Sue Beckingham | @suebecksEducational Developer

Sheffield Hallam Uni

The Tutor Perspective

BEFORE

DURING

AFTER

TUTOR TIPS Have a public LinkedIn profile

First impressions count. Highlight your skills, volunteering as well as any jobs. Ask for recommendations and endorsements.

Use social media to research Search for potential employers offering placements on LinkedIn and Twitter. Follow organisations that inspire you and share their updates

Join LinkedIn GroupsFind groups related to your professional interests. Begin by listening and progress by raising questions or answering those you can.

BEFORE

DURING

AFTER

TUTOR TIPS Keep a journal or blog

Reflect on your experiences during your placement. Note the skills you develop. This can be kept private.

Consider creating digital guidesAre there aspects of work others would value as how to guides using screencasts and video? These could be added to your website, e-portfolio or LinkedIn page.

Join the Company groupsFind out what digital communication tools are used. Follow the company if they are present on social media; join Yammer if it is used.

BEFORE

AFTER

DURING

TUTOR TIPS Connect with colleagues

Use LinkedIn to make new connections and ensure your new professional colleagues know how to contact you after you have left. Keep your profile updated.

Seek LinkedIn recommendationsAsk your Manager for a recommendation on LinkedIn. Send an email of thanks.

Continue to use social media professionallyWhatever you share through social media is building your digital footprint. Use your online presence to help YOU stand out from the crowd.

The Student on Placement Perspective

My placement experiences

Talk and then talk some moreTake ideas related to chosen career path and talk at conferences across the country. Use this as a networking opportunity.

Link physical and virtualCommunicate with peer and professionals on social media but don’t just bash that “Connect” button. Get out there and speak with people i.e. email, face to face, job interviews.

View your interviewer’s profileConsidering most companies give you the name of who is interviewing you beforehand, use this to your advantage and visit their LinkedIn profile. They will get a notification of this.

My placement experiences

Differentiate and polish profileDon’t just create a LinkedIn profile and list your skills. Differentiate yourself. Add a picture, personal projects you’ve done, any volunteering efforts.

Use your connectionsUse new and existing connections on Twitter and LinkedIn (ideally professionals) to help you search for that perfect job.

Publish your workPublish or create new projects and put them out onto social media and your blog. Whether that is a report on a topic or a video blog, or a mini-business.

Look for real non-placement jobs and apply speculatively. Worked for

me! Just by making it clear specifically that I am

a student.

The BAD 'Open' private social mediaFacebook is the bane of most students. Private life and activities should be kept accordingly and not out publically in the ether.

Blanket send messagesDO personalise messages to employers if speculatively applying. Employers like if you mention any mutual connections you have and ask insightful questions.

Twitter dilemmaUsing Twitter like Facebook where you post your daily worries and problems could harm your presence. Industry professionals don’t want to hear everything about your daily life. Balance between professional and private.CC John Atkinson

http://wronghands1.wordpress.com/about/

http://theundercoverre

cruiter.com/

Any questions....

Social Media for Placement Networking:Before, During and After

Sue Beckingham and Dalian Terry

This presentation shares tips for making the most of social media for professional

networking to prepare for placement, during a placement and directly afterwards.