This document discusses how social media and online networking can be used for communication, career exploration, and recruitment. It outlines how traditional in-person networking is now augmented by online presence on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and blogs. Maintaining an online profile can help one actively engage in research, communication, and reflection on professional development or passively learn about career opportunities and job roles. The document also provides tips on using social media networks for career-related purposes, maintaining an online presence, and protecting privacy and security online.

1. Making an Impact - Social Media and
Online Networking Skills
Facebook / Twitter / LinkedIn / Blogging -
Social media & using it to get a job

2. Today Social Networks
• How can Social Networks and Digital Media can be
used in:
• Communication
• Careers choice & recruitment
• Passive v Active (Research v Communication)
• Constructing a Social Media Profile
• Social Media as a Career

3. Traditional Face to face networking…
Working the room……
Now augmented by online social media

4. Networking
“a group of people who exchange information, contacts and
experience for professional or social purposes”
(oxford dictionary)
“ Its not what you know,
but who you know
and
who knows you that matters! ”

5. It’s increasingly an expectation that you will have some form of
Online Social Media presence.
This is a growing part of the recruitment & careers process
BBC overview of Electronic Applications 2011
CNN Money Feb 2014
Social Media can be used for:
1.Researching what’s out there, what people do & job roles
2.Finding vacancies
3.Communication between recruiters / candidates & vice versa
4.Reflecting on what you are offering – CPD process

6. Networking can help you to…
• Generate careers ideas
• Find out about jobs you’ve not considered
• Find out what a job is really like – ‘insider information’
• Ask how your skills and interests fit those of the job
• Explore the hidden job market- where jobs aren’t advertised
• Opportunity to ask for work experience

7. Online Networks
A professional looking online presence can help you to make contact
with people in the sector you are interested in
Examples of your creativity on web pages, blogs, online videos are
important in media/ creative industries

8. Linkedin research link
10 million in UK
Sept 2012 = 1/3 of
the workforce
2014 16million
(i.e. ½ the UK
workforce)

9. Careers Research using LinkedIn
• www.linkedin.com/edu/university-of-sussex-12726

10. Passive v Active
Passive
•Looking at people related to you or where you are going
•Looking at what other people are saying / doing
•Reading Blogs
•Researching companies
Active
•Communicating
= liking / sharing / asking / blogging / content creation

11. Unsure about networking, remember…!
• We all have networks
• You have probably already used networking skills
(finding work experience/ part time work)
• Most people are flattered to be asked for advice
• There are many established networks that you can
use
• It never hurts to ask someone (tactfully) for help -
they can always say no!

12. Look after your network
• Follow up and keep in touch
• Say “Thank you!”
• Share good news!
• Offer to help others

13. There are
many tribes
in the
world……..

14. with
different
dress
codes…..
Actual
and
Virtual

15. check
what is
appropriate!

16. Recruiter
Expectations
Offer
Academic
Personal Work
Portfolio
Evidence
-------------- 
Your ongoing portfolio
Time

17. Data Protection
Think carefully about :
• Medium selection
• Content Selection
• Privacy
• Security

18. Social Media as a Career
• Associated to IT Digital Media / Marketing &
Advertising
• Linkedin Sussex Alumni
• Wired Sussex
• Social Media Jobs The Guardian

19. Need more help?
Come into the Careers & Employability Centre
Library Ground Floor / North East Corner
Check the website www.sussex.ac.uk/careers
• Book a one-to-one with a Careers Adviser
• 01273 678429
• sussexplus@sussex.ac.uk