Social media has taken a firm hold in today’s world. It has become an integral part of many businesses as a way to engage with customers and also for individuals to connect with one another. If you’re not up-to-date on how to use Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, or other platforms, you run the risk of missing out on valuable opportunities. Depending on your career field, a potential employer may be looking for you to have these skills. In addition, platforms such as Twitter can also help you to boost your resume by following some of the same key principles.
- Keep statements short and concise.
On Twitter, you have just 140 characters to get your message across. Characters. Not words. This makes you think more carefully about what you want to say and how to say it. You want to create a strong impact while also conveying clear meaning. The same holds true for your resume. Being too verbose can detract from your message and make potential employers lose interest. Why say in 30 words what you can say in 15 or 20 words?
Attempting to inflate or embellish your accomplishments too much can raise suspicion, especially if it does not align with your level of experience or other results. Employers may question the validity of what you are saying or see you as coming across as desperate. Focus on the most important information and be straightforward so things do not become muddled.
- Keywords matter.
Hashtags are essential on Twitter to help categorize Tweets and make them more searchable. Other users can look for trending topics and relevant material through these keywords and phrases. It probably comes as no surprise that applicant tracking systems (ATS) and hiring managers do the same. They are looking for applicants that have specific skills and abilities. A core competencies section makes these strengths stand out and highlights what you have to offer in single words or short phrases. These keywords should also be incorporated throughout your resume in context to offer more explanation. Without keywords, your resume may be overlooked even though you possess these skills because you’re not showcasing them effectively.
- Network to expand reach.
If you want to reach more users on Twitter, it helps to target trending hashtags and retweet others. When it comes to your resume, networking can help you land more job opportunities and reach a larger audience. Making your resume available online allows potential employers to access it 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Connect with others in your industry or at companies you would like to work for to get your name out there and scope out job openings. You never know when someone in your network will come across an opportunity and reach out to you because you made an effort to stay connected.
Just like Twitter, you should be continually refreshing and updating your information. Each time you submit your resume it should align with the job opening and reflect your most current accomplishments. Don’t let your resume become stale and outdated as this can make it lose traction and interest from employers. Contact Chic Resumes by Grammar Chic, Inc. today to refresh and polish up your resume for your job search. Call (803) 831-7444 or email resumewriting@grammarchic.net to get started and maximize the impression you’re making on potential employers.
Amanda E. Clark founded Grammar Chic in 2008. She is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University and holds degrees in Journalism, Political Science, and English. She launched Grammar Chic after freelancing for several years while simultaneously leading marketing and advertising initiatives for several Fortune 500 companies.
