This document provides guidance on using social media to help students land internships or jobs. It notes that over half of employers use social media to research candidates and recommends students clean up any unprofessional online content before applying. It also advises students to build an online presence through activities like blogging, tweeting carefully about their industry, and networking on LinkedIn and Facebook in order to showcase their qualifications and personality to potential employers. Students are warned that anything posted online should be considered public and that privacy settings may not fully protect their information from being accessed and shared.

1. Social Media
for Students
How to leverage social
media to help you land
an internship or a job.
Live-tweeting? Use hashtag #socialstudents

2. Why should you care?
 More than half of employers use social
networking sites to research job candidates.
 Another 12% plan to start.
 They use:
 Search Engines (43%)
 Facebook (12%)
 Linkedin (12%)
 Twitter (4%)
CareerBuilder.com survey, December 2009

3. What NOT to do!
 Why employers disregarded candidates:
 Lied about qualifications
 Showed poor communication skills
 Made discriminatory comments
 Posted content about them drinking or using drugs
 Posted inappropriate photographs or information
CareerBuilder.com survey, December 2009

4. Online=Public & Forever
Consider anything you post online to be
completely public.
 Facebook used to be private, but is
becoming more and more public.
 Advertisers can use your information
 Complex privacy settings, change frequently
 Even if you manage your privacy, apps and
friends can access your data and share it to
the rest of the world.

5. Privacy settings …

6. App settings …

7. Individual App settings …

8. App info through friends…

9. Public search …

10. In other words …

11. Some Examples
Thought you were managing your privacy
online? Think again…
 The WayBack Machine
 Google, Pepsi, Lego
 Spokeo
 Charlie Sheen
 Openbook
 “I hate my boss”
 “looking for a new job”

12. What TO do!
 Why employers hired candidates:
 Profile supported professional
qualifications
 Showed solid communication
skills
 Candidate was well-rounded
 Provided a good feel for personality and fit
 Conveyed a professional image
CareerBuilder.com survey, December 2009

13. Before the Job/Intern Hunt:
Clean up digital dirt before you begin your job search.
Remove any:
 Photos
 Content
 Links
…that can work against you in an employer’s eyes.
SociableBlog.com, January 2010

14. Before the Job/Intern Hunt:
Self-SEO
 Google yourself!
 Build a portfolio website
 Create a LinkedIn profile
 Start Tweeting (carefully!)
 Start a blog

15. During the Job/Intern Hunt:
Socially Network!
 Follow and talk with industry pros on Twitter
 Join LinkedIn and Facebook groups to establish
relationships
 Participate in Twitter chats
 Recommend other’s work on LinkedIn
SociableBlog.com, January 2010

16. Connect with GCC
Facebook
facebook.com/GeneseeCommunityCollege
Blogs
gcccampusblog.wordpress.com
Twitter
@sunygcc
YouTube
youtube.com/sunygcc
Flickr
flickr.com/sunygcc

17. Kevin Manne
New Media Specialist
Twitter: @k3v2
Email: kjmanne@genesee.edu

18. Questions?

19. Social Media Icons: http://icondock.com
Profile photos: “Social Media for College Students” by
Jeffrey Zelaya on slideshare.net