Be professional
Yes, we understand that your social media accounts were created for your personal use and expressions. But now that we're using social networking to boost our careers, we do have to be careful to project a professional image. So make sure that your name in the different social platforms are consistent and that you're using your real name. Keep your personal photos strictly private but you can make updates related to your professional life public so that potential employers learn something about you.
Keep yourself posted about what's happening
Almost all companies have their own social media accounts so you should 'Like' or 'Follow' them all. This way you're updated about what they're doing and when they have vacancies.
Don't contact prospective boss through social media
You haven't heard back from an interview and you're feeling restless. Don't log on to Facebook or Twitter to ask your interviewer about how you fared. It's just not professional to do so. You can, instead call or write an email, if you feel you've waited enough.
Don't just send invites to everyone
When you're trying to connect with a professional on LinkedIn, s/he should ideally be someone you've had interactions with in the past. Even if you don't know him/her personally, you should have connected through email previously or met during an event, however briefly. Yet, if s/he isn't someone known to you personally and also not connected with in any way before, then it's advised that you send a personal message along with the invite.
Use your connections wisely
Once you have got that connection you wanted, don't go overboard and annoy him/her by reaching out too much. And if you want someone in your friends' list to put a good word in for you or connect you with someone else, just make sure you ask politely and that you don't do it too often.
Share your accomplishments while also complimenting others
Social platform is a great way to let others know what you are doing. You can and must take the opportunity to post your articles, let people know about your promotion, publish your interviews, etc. But a cardinal rule is not to go on a sharing frenzy over every little thing. It is also a wonderful deed on your part to acknowledge publicly the great work your colleagues have been doing. Share their projects and re-Tweet.
Update your profiles
You should seriously work on updating your social media accounts. There's a vast world out there and you must make the most of it. Log on back to your accounts and add any work experience or training you have had. In this digital age, prospective employers and interesting job opportunities use social networking to look up people. It won't leave a good impression if your account has been inactive for more than a couple of months. Update regularly, hold conversations and share posts and items that you truly believe in.
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