Young Professionals and Social Media: Join These 4 Platforms

Unless you’re living under a rock, you are likely one of the one in four people around the world who are connected to some sort of social media platform. If you happen to have taken up residency that rock, don’t worry – the social media pros at the Jaycees can help get you up to speed on which social media channels to join and why.

LinkedIn – As a social media platform that is geared to professionals, this is a no-brainer. LinkedIn allows you as a young professional to have a place to connect with other professionals, professional groups, community thought leaders and companies while giving you the space to display your work history, educational background, online portfolio and more. Be aware that this site is specifically for you to connect with professionals and build your network.

Facebook – Leading the way as the largest social media site in the world, it’s important to have a presence on Facebook. Of course, remember to keep things work appropriate – if you need a refresher, check out our social media etiquette tips. With so many active members, not only is Facebook a great platform for networking, it’s also a great place to show potential employers a version of yourself that could potentially be a good match.

Twitter – Looking for a way to establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry? What if we told you it could be possible to do so in less than 140 characters? Welcome to the wonderful world of Twitter. A general rule of thumb on Twitter is to keep things simple – stay primarily positive and a source of credible information and you’ll be good to go.

Blogs – We know that blogging isn’t exactly a social media network like Facebook or Twitter, however writing a blog is a great skill set to have to help you reach a targeted audience. On this platform, it doesn’t matter if you’re writing about life lessons, industry knowledge or personal experiences. This is the channel to have others see a warmer, friendly and more pleasant side of yourself. Of course, your blog entries will be better served when they are shared across your social media sites.

Whether you are just beginning your career or you’re a well-established young professional, the need for social media skills and knowledge is stronger than ever. If you are looking for additional ways other than social media to increase your professional network, consider joining an organization like the Jaycees. Visit our website to find out more about our professional networking group and how to join.