high schoolers & social media

Essential keys to the digital job search

So, about that college application?

sxxycutie4eva@aol.com

hustler420@yahoo.com

Ask the Audience

• Would you send any of those photos along with your college application?

• Would you sign your name, “Sexy 4 Eva”?

• What about for a job application?

If you’re online…

• 20% of admissions counselors admit to looking at candidates’ Facebook profiles

• More than that admit to Googling candidates• Everyone sees your e-mail address

Does it matter?

• Emory University tour guides friend students, and profiles affect admissions decisions

• Admissions denied at Reed College because of “disparaging blog posts”

Bottom line

• What you post isn’t private, and deleting it doesn’t make it go away

But…

• You can use that to your advantage• You can make your own online identity (called

a “personal brand”)

That’s what I did

• Now I’m a social media strategist at OptimalResume.co

• I blogged and tweeted my way to a job

How does that apply to you?

• Create a personal brand that attracts, rather than repels, college admissions offices

Step 1: Clean up

• Facebook privacy settings• Clean profile picture• Untag incriminating photos• First.last@gmail.com• Delete offensive blog posts• What else?

Step 2: Create your “brand”

• How do you want to be known?• Smart? Tech-savvy? Artsy?• Want colleges to think, “That person will

contribute to our campus”

Step 3: Take your brand online

• Twitter • website/blog• What about Facebook?

What do you say?

• Write what interests you…within reason • Follow the “Mom Rule” — If you wouldn’t

want your mom to see it, don’t post it

Getting started

• Twitter handle – use firstlast (i.e. kellygiles)• Bio – something smart• Picture – a nice headshot, if you want one• End your tweets with #ncsmi so you can track

the conversation

Last words

• Think before you post.

Questions?

Kelly Giles, Social Media StrategistKellyG@OptimalResume.com