Ted Rogers Offers Career Tips for the New Year

Now that winter break is officially over; it’s time to get back to work and back to school. We hope you spent the break productively, but if you didn’t, don’t worry the new semester is still a perfect time to shape up. And, according to Laura Henshaw (Co-op Coordinator at the Ted Rogers School of Management Business Career Hub), there are two things that you should do: tidy up your social media and expand your network.

Tidy Up Your Social Media

Even MBAs need a social media presence, and that presence should always present your best foot forward. If you’re on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and SnapChat, keep in mind that all of your potential employers are going to go online during their recruitment efforts to vet you. Companies want to see who you are outside of the suit and tie, and that’s why your social media can either help you or hurt you.

One of the best things you can do is to review all of your recent content—within the last year—and clean it up. In particular, you should hide, delete or make private content that demonstrates:

• Provocative or inappropriate photographs, videos or other information
• Drinking or using drugs
• Discrimination related to race, religion, gender, etc.
• Bad-mouthing of a previous company or fellow employee
• Poor communication skills

 

And make sure you comb through all of your social media profiles because you can be sure that your employer will as well.

Expand Your Network

Now, what if you don’t have social media or you don’t use it often? Then you’re missing out. LinkedIn and other social media sites are excellent tools to help you expand your network.

LinkedIn, in particular, is a free way to advertise yourself, your work history and your accomplishments to potential employers. You can also find job openings and recruiters on LinkedIn that can match directly to your profile.

Outside of LinkedIn, the New Year also offers opportunities for you to reconnect with your existing network. Set up coffee dates with your family, friends, co-workers (past/present), professors, teaching assistants/facilitators, etc. and make connections. Each person within your existing network knows at least a handful of individuals you’ve never met before who could be helpful to your career. By meeting up, your network will naturally expand, which is always invaluable.

regions: Toronto

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