What Makes Snapchat Sticky?

(Photo Source: Buzzfeed)

I first heard about Snapchat my sophomore year at Pitt (2012), though it launched over a year earlier in late 2011. At first, I resisted Snapchat, much like I resisted other social media platforms when they first came out (i.e. Twitter and Instagram). However, as more and more of my friends began to communicate with “snaps”, I decided I would give it a try and have been using it ever since.

Snapchat defies some of the norms of social media. It is impermanent. You cannot “like” or “favorite”, “share” or “retweet”. It is more private. So why is it so popular? What gives Snapchat its stickiness factor? I researched Snapchat’s success and found that the following strategies have made Snapchat stick.

Snapchat utilizes trends. First, it is based on the growing popularity of anonymity. (Other examples include the Yik Yak or Whisper apps.) More and more people want a discreet way to communicate and do not want to be tracked. Perhaps, this relates to the increasing lack of privacy from older, more established companies, such as Facebook and Google, that take users information and share it with/sell it to advertisers. Nevertheless, Snapchat offers an outlet for people to communicate more discreetly and privately with friends. (If you are thinking, “How does Snapchat make money then?”, here is an article from Business Insider: http://www.businessinsider.com/how-snapchat-will-make-money-2013-11.)

Second, Snapchat has jumped on the trend of ephemerality, meaning lasting a very short time. Snaps disappear in a maximum of ten seconds. This relates back to a sense of anonymity and the inability of third parties to read/see your content. This also makes communication between users more concise and creative because the sender has to make sure the receiver can interpret his or her snap in ten seconds or less.

Another trend that Snapchat uses is sharing live content. (An alternate example is the Meerkat app.) If you swipe left on one of your contacts and both of you hold down the yellow button, you can see each other in real time. Furthermore, you can Snapchat each other back at forth at the same time, essentially sharing a live feed of what you are doing.

Besides utilizing trends, increasingly, Snapchat has added features to make the app more versatile while still maintaining its main purpose of sharing quick, easy, ephemeral content. For example, the app now allows users to chat through permanent text and images (you can do this by swiping left on one your contacts). Also, Snapchat added filters. Some of these include black and white, sepia, an icon of the outside temperature, and a small graphic representing your location (for example, the Pittsburgh skyline pictured below).

(Photo Source: Becca Garges)

These added features allow users to connect on more levels and be more creative with their content.

More recently, snapchat added its Discover feature, which connects users to content from twelve different organizations including ESPN, Cosmopolitan, CNN, and the Food Network. Here, viewers can look at several stories from each organization. These disappear after one day and are then replaced by new stories. This feature gives users access to Twitter-like news stories and contact with third parties while maintaining the app’s ephemeral and creative qualities.

(Photo Source: Google images)

Snapchat reflects real life conversations. CEO Evan Spiegel said in a speech about the secrets to Snapchat’s success, “That’s what Snapchat is all about. Talking through content not around it. With friends, not strangers. Identity tied to now, today. Room for growth, emotional risk, expression, mistakes, room for you.” By utilizing current trends and multiple communication features, Snapchat integrates what users want and makes the app more private and personal.

For fun, snaps from your dog: http://www.buzzfeed.com/chelseamarshall/27-snapchats-from-your-dog#.xi34WdaBY.

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Sources:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/very-clever-strategy-thats-making-snapchat-meabh-quoirin

http://techcrunch.com/2014/01/25/how-snapchat-thinks-about-snapchat/

http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/perfectly-captioned-snapchats#.loePMg8W5

http://techcrunch.com/2013/06/30/the-ephemeralnet/

http://blog.snapchat.com/post/109302961090/introducing-discover

5 Highest Paying Jobs in Social Media

Image Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Social_networking_services.jpg

After accepting a job as an account manager at Community Elf, I searched for typical salaries for social media jobs. Not that I’m going to be picky – I don’t have enough experience to say no to their offer but the potential exists to make a lot of money in social media. Many social media jobs require the same skills and experience despite having different job titles. This list is my interpretation of all the other lists people have made on this subject. I used the job titles from the infographic below because they searched job listings throughout the country to find the most frequently used position titles.

1. Social Media Marketing Manager

Social Media Marketing Managers oversee the development, strategies, and content of social media marketing campaigns. They consider the whole picture from customer feedback, to SEO and Google Analytics, to content and branding. Then they can determine what’s working and what needs changed.

2. Social Media Strategist

Social Media Strategists focus on customer service. They study the audience and determine the best way to interact with their customers online. Essentially, they want to humanize their company or client by making it/them more approachable and interactive with the community.

3. Public Relations/Brand Manager

This position focuses on company branding. They work to maintain a good public image for their company or client. For example, when a company initiates a social media campaign with a charitable aspect such as Tom’s shoes, it was probably organized by the PR Manager to improve the image or brand of the company.

4. Online Community Manager

An Online Community Manager is described as a “liason between a company and an online community” by BrazenCareerist.com but that definition fits every social media job. So I think that this position focuses on studying online groups whose interests match or complement that of the company. When they connect with the right groups, the ones most likely to buy what they’re selling, they can determine what and how to sell their product or service.

5. Social Media Specialist

It seems that Social Media Specialists do a lot of the grunt work for everyone else. Sarah Mincher, a Social Media Specialist at Digital Sherpa, creates and schedules daily content for her clients on all of their social media platforms. She also responds to online interactions with her content and reviews how it is being received by followers.

For recent college grads with little real world experience, freelance social media jobs might be a good way to get started. As a freelance social media consultant you can charge $15-40 an hour at first. After a few years you can start charging more, up to $75 an hour. How much you charge for your services depends on factors other than your experience though. You have to consider the client, location, and specific projects versus daily management. Alexis Grant, a blogger and digital strategist, suggests charging a monthly retainer for your work. Grant writes that she “charges new clients a one-time set-up fee that covers strategizing and creating social media profiles, then a monthly retainer to maintain the networks and grow quality followings.” The initial set-up fee allows you time to demonstrate your skills and prove how invaluable your services are to the client.

Good luck on your job search!

http://www.careerbuilder.com/article/cb-3215-job-search-strategies-8-jobs-in-social-media/

http://www.brazencareerist.com/blog/2013/12/26/6-social-media-jobs-thatll-be-big-in-2014/

http://www.onwardsearch.com/career-center/social-media-jobs-salary-guide/

http://www.social-hire.com/market-updates/1648/top-5-highest-paying-social-media-jobs

http://www.digitalsherpa.com/blog/the-typical-day-of-a-social-media-specialist/

http://alexisgrant.com/2012/09/27/what-to-charge-for-social-media-work-as-a-freelancer-or-consultant/

Image source: http://www.onwardsearch.com/career-center/social-media-jobs-salary-guide/

10 Tips To Increase Visits To Your Professional Website

Now that we are approaching graduation, many of my friends have begun creating websites for their professional portfolios. While this practice is not as applicable to my area of study, I find it interesting that personal websites have changed from the informal, glitzy personal sites I remember from the fifth grade. Some of my most successful friends share their portfolios, Pinterests, blogs, resumes, current news, and Linkedin profiles on their personal site.

I summed up what I believe to be the best advice for people entering the job market here in these easy ten steps.

1. Include all of your social networks

When your new site is up and running, link to it on all of the social networking platforms that you actively use. If you are not active on a certain platform, do not pretend to have a presence for the sake of the link because it may be a turn-off to employers if you are not able to maintain your presence. I will make one exception for Google+. Though it is not the most popular social network, it is the most visited website on the Internet and Google will reward you for using their sites by improving your searchability.

One person who I believe has done a great job with her blog is my friend Meg. Here, she keeps friends, family and work contacts updated on what she is doing at school and in her various co-ops.

In this post she is inviting her followers to check out her online portfolio, linking them directly to the homepage.

2. Be Proactive and Engaging

Primarily, you want to use language in your site that is professional, yet welcoming. Do not use language that you would not use in person just because thesaurus.com is right at your fingertips. Make sure to use your social networks to engage potential employers. Employers are not just looking for someone to fulfill a task, they want someone who they will enjoy working with. So, post career-related content as well as appropriate content from your social life to give them a feel of who you are.

“Learn about me so I can learn about you” is probably the best phrasing for this site I can think of. It invites visitors to engage with Meg but also gives a sense of her outgoing and caring personality.

3. Start a Blog

One of the best ways for employers to get a feel for your personality is to keep a blog. It can be about your work, travel, or what you have for lunch each day — just remember to keep your audience engaged. Having a blog and linking it to your site and vice versa will also increase your searchability online.

4. Advertise

Advertising on social media is a proven way to increase your website traffic. Sites like Facebook are also able to give you fantastic feedback on who is seeing your ad, how long they view it and how often they visit your site as a result. This is one example of where you would need to spend money to make money because advertisements are not cheap.

5. Get Referrals

Use your network to increase traffic to your site. Invite your network to check out your page and to forward your URL to other professionals in your field. You will be surprised at how many people are willing to help you spread the word!

6. Mix It Up

Whether writing a blog or posting on your social media sites, it is essential to keep your followers engaged. Instead of writing carefully crafted essays about your experiences in your internship, break up the monotony by sharing an image of your newly organized desk. Images are eye-catching, use them draw the attention of your readers.

7. SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

This skill is very tech-based but will help you boost traffic to your site without directly advertising. Make sure that you are using internal links to your content and meta descriptions to make your page as searchable as possible. I think Raechelle did a great job summarizing what this important practice is all about: https://professionalusesofsocialmedia.wordpress.com/2015/02/13/search-engine-optimization/

8. Make sure your site is mobile compatible

Nowadays, the times that we use an actual computer to browse the internet is decreasing. You want to make sure that employers can access your site on any device they use, especially at job fairs where they will be able to access your information quickly before they move on to the next potential candidate.

9. Make yourself heard in the comment sections

Find a few sites that interest you and are related to your dream profession. By posting insightful comments in blogs related to your career, you will get your name out to people you may never have contacted otherwise.

10. Keep up to date on your analytics data

Through review of the demographics viewing your site and which of your pages are the most popular, you can fine tune your online presence to match what engages your audience the most.

Some of these tips expect us to be able to walk a fine line between advertising and annoying. However, one thing I have learned through my fundraising experience is that, even if they are initially interested, people will not remember to act. It is our job to make our website as easily accessible as possible, even if that means sending your contact a link a few times.

Best of luck!

-Rachel Butch

Sources:

http://www.wikihow.com/Increase-Website-Traffic
http://blog.hootsuite.com/how-to-increase-website-traffic-with-social-media-marketing/
http://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2014/08/14/increase-traffic-to-my-website
http://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/how-to-write-meta-description-ht
http://momecene.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2014-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&updated-max=2015-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&max-results=10
http://www.megomecene.com/index.html

Leading Double Lives: Balancing the Professional and Personal on Social Media

By now, I think we all know to avoid posting pictures of alcohol, drugs, parties, or sex on social media. Your employer might see it, interviewers are screening you, and so on, and so on. But you should also curate a presence on social media so that your professional contacts have something to look at.

I just want to look at Vines of puppies tipping their bowls over and retweet a bunch of politically incorrect comedians. Sigh.

Obviously, we have to make some decisions about online boundaries. Ariane Ollier-Malaterre at the Harvard Review suggests users who want to manage their professional and personal image focus on a few strategies: Open, Audience, or Content.

Using an Open strategy, you just post whatever. That might sound like a non-strategy, sure, but for professionals in the public spotlight, candid sharing can make you feel more authentic and human. Professionals who already have a high-profile career, especially in the creative arts like acting or music, can get away with this and look all the better for it.

not smiling makes me smile

— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) October 11, 2014

Alright Kanye. You do you, I guess.

The Audience strategy focuses on controlling who has access to your accounts, whether that’s refusing friend requests on Facebook and redirecting people to LinkedIn, or keeping your Instagram account completely private. This strategy will stop your employer from seeing your “Zayn Malik left One Direction” meltdown on Twitter, but you may also have less content to offer anyone screening your accounts to see if you’re a well-rounded person.

SHES CRYING BECAUSE ZAYN LEFT OHMYGODSKJDD pic.twitter.com/XlqaMKRlHU — zalya (@haramnormani) March 25, 2015

Tissues are a good start, but she’s gonna need a prayer circle.

Finally, users can try the Content strategy, which means gritting your teeth and only posting nice, inoffensive, professional comments and pictures. If you’re not really into social media anyway, this strategy may be good enough. For the rest of us, it will probably feel like a chore, and suck the fun right out of our favorite platforms like some kind of briefcase-carrying, timecard-checking vampire.

None of these strategies are perfect, but it helps to consider your online persona. The old cliché “dress for the job you want, not the job you have” can apply here. If you want to be more of a celebrity personality, go for the Open strategy and let your opinions leak everywhere. If you’re anticipating a higher profile corporate job, however, stick to the content strategy and keep your end-goal in mind.

And if you just want to vent about bad traffic or a stupid coworker, try making a second account followed only by your closest friends, or consider calling your mom and keeping it off the internet entirely. It’s fine to use a mix of strategies and find the best fit. Just ask yourself – who could be seeing this, and am I comfortable with that?

In the comments, let us know how you manage your social media accounts. Who sees what?

I’m especially curious to hear from anyone about their political content. Would you openly share or post about your political views online, or endorse an activist with a retweet? Even if we’re careful to avoid inflammatory content, politics are inherently polarizing. Or better yet – if you were thinking about hiring someone but dislike their political views on Facebook or Tumblr, would that affect your decision? Let us know in the comments.

Speaking Social: How Social Media has Affected the Spoken Word

The millennial generation utilizes texting and social media as a means by which to communicate more frequently than any generation before. It’s unrealistic to imagine that the slang used when communicating this way remains independent of our spoken and professional communications. 2014 added 22 words/phrases to American vocabulary.

For example:
Bae: Before anyone else
Damp: When something is awesome
Squad: Your group of friends
YASSS: When you want to say yes but you mean it more than just a simple yes
Turnt: Excited or hyped for the party tonight

(Image from: https://www.google.com/search?q=turnt&rlz=1C1CHWA_enUS627US627&es_sm=93&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=TSUTVfnnC4ysogSokoKIBw&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=643#tbm=isch&q=bae&imgdii=_&imgrc=zj5ZHZhvYcJvjM%253A%3B0DiuuZUHghtonM%3Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fs-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com%252F736x%252Fc6%252Fbf%252F62%252Fc6bf62a6872aacd656a10900c323c01c.jpg%3Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.pinterest.com%252Fnessli1232%252Fwhen-bae%252F%3B569%3B496)

However, although agreed upon definitions for these slang terms exist, one would not want to answer “chill with my damp squad” when asked about hobbies during a job interview. But the words that surround us every day inevitably influence the words we use, especially since the majority of the written words we see on a daily basis are on our computer or phone screens. Speaking, then, we tend to combine informal, personal communication, as well as our crafted professional personas taking into account context and with whom we are conversing.

When using texting and social media, one lapses into the use of acronyms for the sake of convenience (and on Twitter they help make the most of the 140 character limit). However, we all have that one friend who has, either jokingly or seriously, pronounced an acronym out loud, “Like el oh el you’re so funny.” This is also something you would not want to say during an interview.

On a positive note, with an increased ability and need to get written content out online (or texted) as quickly as possible, people are more likely to type and speak simultaneously using colloquialisms, respellings, and abbreviations, meanwhile spreading dialects regionally and abroad.

Social media platforms have also created their own vernacular independent of their users. Facebook, for example, has established new meanings and references for words like friend, like, status, wall, profile, and page. When speaking, the context of one’s phrasing allows listeners to determine what meaning of these words to associate with the words used. Furthermore, users have built upon these words new meanings such as unfriend and Facebook official. These are said commonly and often are spoken outside of use of the site. Along those are lines are the instances where certain brands have become so commonplace that they, themselves have been turned into words. For example, Google is a search engine as well as a verb (to Google meaning to search something online).

(Image from: http://emedia.leeward.hawaii.edu/hurley/Ling102web/mod2_identity/2mod2.7contextual.htm)

Social media has also effected the formatting of communications. Responses are becoming shorter in order to express emphasis.

(Image from: http://www.newrepublic.com/article/115726/period-our-simplest-punctuation-mark-has-become-sign-anger)

The picture above shows how the responder is obviously angry even though they are saying they are not. This has also extended into the spoken word. Instead of answering the question with a response such as            “No, I’m not angry. I’m just hungry…” or with some other more detailed explanation, saying “no” shortly has come to imply anger in today’s society (most of the time).

Punctuation has been adapted to imply hidden meanings to digital statements (sort of like body language) which were previously not present. For example, my mom always uses ellipses when she texts me (there’s pizza for dinner…; here’s a picture of a dolphin…; etc.) which makes me feel like there is more she wants to say but isn’t. Sort of like if you ask your girlfriend if eating in instead of out is okay and she answers “yeah I guess…” Eating out is probably not fine. However, this new expressive use of punctuation could enable the aspiring writer to use new ways of conveying tone, voice, and meaning when writing.

Another element to this vastly expanding social media language is the consideration of media. Technology has so far evolved to a point where sending pictures and audio clips are often times just as easy as sending a typed response. For example, if a roommate asks where you are it is as simple to snap a picture of the library as it is to type the word library. What impact does this have on spoken language? Are we going to resort to pointing in response to when we are asked questions? That seems largely ineffective.

Furthermore, with the use of images, language barriers are ignored. A picture of pizza looks the same in any language eliminating the need for translating a tweet or post before it is sent. Is this better or worse than speaking in acronyms?

Language has always been considered a continually evolving phenomenon. In this regard, is the impact of social media on the spoken word natural? Does this alleviate or exasperate our need to worry about this?

Check out John McWhorter’s interesting take on the cultural and linguistic benefits to texting! And actually check it out. http://www.ted.com/talks/john_mcwhorter_txtng_is_killing_language_jk

Sources:

http://www.clickz.com/clickz/column/2326906/how-social-media-is-changing-language-usage-and-what-marketers-need-to-know-about-it

http://lauralhampton.com/2010/10/11/how-social-networks-influence-the-spoken-word/

http://blog.oxforddictionaries.com/2014/06/social-media-changing-language/

http://www.englishtown.com/blog/has-social-media-changed-the-way-we-speak-and-write-english/

http://www.newrepublic.com/article/115726/period-our-simplest-punctuation-mark-has-become-sign-anger

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/30/disruptions-social-media-images-form-a-new-language-online/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=2

Creating a Voice of Your Own

There is an important idea that comes with being a writer and that is creating your own voice for your readers. Having a voice that allows your readers to continue to read your work is crucial in order to be successful as a professional writer. Social media has grown to a level that celebrities, writers, journalists, politicians, the list goes on have a constant audience that they are able to reach out and be connected with, but when it comes to having an audience that is constantly checking in to see what you have to say.

I remember when I first began writing, it was much more simpler to just write about what we read in a book or what we have been learning in history class that week. But now, I am 22 years old and I am getting a degree to become a professional in writing for an always hungry for more audience. Knowing your audience and keeping them enthralled it tough, but there are a few simple steps you can take to keep them interested. These are 10 simple steps any writer can take to find their voice.

1. Read everything
2. Write everything
3. Copy the best
4. Play games
5. Challenge your preconceptions
6. Dare to be dreadful
7. Write from passion
8. Take risks
9. Remember that complacency is your enemy
10. Remember that fear is your best friend

These 10 steps can be found on hollyisle.com, but why these are important to remember when focusing on finding your voice is actually quite simple. All these steps have a common theme, focusing on ones self. That is the crucial thing to finding your voice in your writing, by knowing exactly who you are. By knowing who you are for certain positions in the news and media, you allow yourself to have a better knowledge and stance. From there, your audience can further enjoy your readings and even help you grow your audience even more.

I am not saying that it is simple to find your writing voice, but you do need to put the work in to figure it out. It could be as easy as practicing your writing. It might mean trying various exercises to find the style of voice you are looking for. I like to make my writings as conversational as I can make it, without losing the sense of credibility that a professional writer must earn with their audience. What do these traits tell your audience about your character? What naturally flows from your fingertips as you write these statements? You can find out a lot about your writing voice by writing everything that comes to mind. By writing what’s natural. Just remember to keep writing.

Picture:

https://www.tumblr.com/tagged/spongebob-writing-an-essay

Sources:

http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/there-are-no-rules/voice-in-writing-developing-a-unique-writing-voice

http://hollylisle.com/ten-steps-to-finding-your-writing-voice/

How to Censor Your Facebook Before Applying for Jobs

Many current college students were introduced to Facebook in late middle school or early high school. This mean Facebook successfully documented your “awkward” phase. Perhaps you liked all of the random pages like “Parents call it ‘Back Talk’ we call it ‘explaining why their wrong’” or “I didn’t fall, I attacked the floor.” Or you have pictures that are not appropriate for a professional to see whether it you drinking at a party before you were of legal age or if you are doing something “unflattering.” According to the Huffington Post, “37 percent of hiring managers use social networking sites to research job applicants, with over 65 percent of that group using Facebook as their primary resource.” With that in mind companies are looking at your profile to see who you are and what your personality is like. They do not want to see you playing flip cup at a high school party or liking pages that have no relevance on your views or life. The real question then is: what should you keep on your Facebook when you began applying for jobs, what should you delete, and what should you add or change?

What should you keep?

Employers are looking for a well-rounded individual that they want in their company. Your Facebook should reflect this. Keeping things such as family photos, photos of you with friends or teammates, doing something that interests you such as hiking or traveling, and significant life events are all things that display who you are. You should also keep the likes that include literature and movies. The person you interview with might love 80s movies as much as you do.

What should you delete?

The good news is that you do not have to go back and delete every bad thing you have ever posted. Facebook has a privacy setting that limits the audience’s view of old posts, anything before 2013. To do this, users must go to privacy settings, who can see my stuff, and then limit the audience for old posts on your timeline. You simply click the button and everything before 2013 is hidden from everyone but you.

.

As for your posts after 2013, here is what you should delete or hide: photos of you belligerently intoxicated, posts that are related to substance abuse, inappropriate photos that can be suggestive, and all of the pages that are random phrases that you agree with (see 1^st paragraph). According to fastcompany.com, employers rejected candidates for provocative photos or info; drinking or drug use; bad-mouthing previous employee, colleague, or client; poor communication skills; discriminatory comments; false qualifications; and leaked confidential info from previous jobs. Depending on the company, provocative and inappropriate photos can range from you in a bikini at the beach to you being blacked out at a friend’s birthday party. Ultimately, you must make the decision as to where to draw the line. It is also wise to refrain from vulgar language in comments. While you may enjoy the posts you make, future employers do not.

What should you add or change?

Your about page is important for companies when finding future employees. It is a way for you, the job seeker, to brand who you are. Similarly to LinkedIn, you want to put as much information down as you can. Describe your education and work experience. In your about you block discuss what you like to do and your goals for employment. Additionally, make sure all the information about your skills, languages you speak, current city, etc. are up-to-date. Employers do not want to see outdated information. If you would like, you can put a favorite quotation or two that is inspirational to you. If the hiring manager did look at your Facebook page, it may be a good discussion topic.

Facebook is becoming more prevalent in the job market. If you feel that you cannot possibly make your profile acceptable when you begin the job search consider making a new page. You can keep the old one and change your name so it is a nickname or just your first and middle name. You are then able to start anew with a professional profile that is linked to your first and last name. The only issue with this is that employers can tell it is a new profile. The best decision is to censor your Facebook successfully. Profiles that show your personality, have accurate professional qualifications, are creative, have good communication skill, are well-rounded, and have good posts from other individuals are more likely to get hired according to fastcompany.com. This is what you should aim for to have the perfect profile when you begin the hunt for a job.

Sources:

http://www.fastcompany.com/1334113/if-youre-applying-job-censor-your-facebook-page

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/20/employers-use-facebook-to-pre-screen-applicants_n_1441289.html

http://www.onwardsearch.com/2013/03/fbjobhunt/

http://www.facebook.com

Pros & Cons of WordPress

WordPress is designed to offer aspiring writers a chance to display their work in an easy and effective way. While the uses of WordPress vary from personal blogs to specific topic blogs, many also use it to advertise their writing hoping to transition it into a professional setting. Considering creating a site is free and there are already pre-designed templates to choose from, WordPress takes the painstaking task of building a website out of your hands and gives a writer an organized space to catalog their work. WordPress then works with other social media platforms to spread your writing and network with other WordPress users. I know that I was able to secure my current internship by using my WordPress blog as a resume for all my writing.

WordPress contributes to an interactive experiences about which you can spread your work around the world, as well as track your global reach. It utilizes widgets to bring together platforms like Twitter and Facebook so you can spread your stories as well as contribute to your brand on those sites.

dkonpittsburghsports.com

If done effectively like Pittsburgh sports journalist Dejan Kovacevic does on his personally run website, then it can form a symbiotic relationship between all platforms that increases the popularity of you as a writer. WordPress has it’s own social networking services that allows users to follow the blogs of other uses. This shows that while WordPress makes their primary focus a space for content creation, they put almost an equal emphasis on networking. Through the connections made on the site, an opportunity could present itself that takes your personal writing into the professional setting.

WordPress also makes it very simple to see the reach your writing has with it’s detailed statistics. Essentially a simplified version of Google analytics that contributes to its user friendly approach, users can see how many and from what part of the world people are visiting your work. Most importantly, they keep track on which posts people are visiting the most.

contentbycharles.com

This is crucial because it can determine what elements of your writing are grabbing the most attention. In this regard, the statistics that WordPress offers can help writers make the craft choices that expand their audience. It also shows you which other social media platforms brought people to your site. This helps the user know which sites are more effective in advertising your work and can then put more emphasis on networking using that platform.

However, on the downside WordPress is so easy to use and keep records of your viewership that it is becoming overwhelmed with massive amounts of content. According to their stats, WordPress users post 61.6 million new things each month. Which begs the question of how is it possible to stand out among all this content that is constantly piling up on itself? Although keywords help narrow the focus of your blogs a little bit, the simply is too much to sift through for users to expand to their desired audience. People maintaining personal blogs mostly have to rely on their inner networks of friends and family to view posts and spread the word. Although the huge database of content on WordPress challenges users to think creatively of ways to attract new people and gear writing to the interest of your desired audience, there really is only so far one can go.

Making it even harder is that many major publications and companies are starting to use WordPress. Well respected works like the New Yorker have made this transition because of its easy to manipulate design. Unfortunately for the individual blogger, this has skewed the marketplace of viewers towards these companies. Personal users cannot offer the credibility that the New Yorker can claim. Individuals using WordPress as a way to display their professional writing now have to unfairly compete with both world-recognized publications and 60 million other posts. While it still is effective in creating a simple space to catalog your work for future use like showing potential employers, sometimes on WordPress I get the feeling that I’m only writing to myself.

How Recruiters Use LinkedIn

For the past year I’ve had the opportunity to intern in the talent acquisition department at UPMC’s corporate office. While I’ve learned about a variety of recruiting techniques such as phone screening, interviewing, and candidate sourcing, I’ve gotten an in-depth view as to how recruiters use LinkedIn on a daily basis. In this class we have speculated as to how human resource departments view and potentially judge our social media profiles, and I’m going to give you an insiders perspective.

LinkedIn is most commonly used as a sourcing mechanism for hard-to-fill entry and senior level positions. This means that those applying for a position through the companies personal website aren’t qualified, or that too few individuals are applying, which is often common with senior level jobs. As a result, recruiters head to LinkedIn to find new talent.

Before discussing ways to make your profile more searchable, it’s important to understand how recruiters use LinkedIn.

We are familiar with LinkedIn’s basic functions for job searching; however recruiters receive access to an exclusive candidate-searching tool known as LinkedIn Recruiter. This premium function allows recruiters to expand their candidate search beyond just personal networks, to the entire LinkedIn community. This gives them the ability to maximize the number of profiles they can view. Additionally, once they view a profile of someone who fits the qualifications, they can contact them without personally connecting, though a messaging service called InMail. A variety of templates are available in InMail, which can be edited according to position, and sent to a number of candidates at once. This service is beneficial as recruiters get a higher response rate than they would with other techniques like emailing or cold calling. Lastly, LinkedIn Recruiter helps recruiters to organize and manage candidates they’ve found and reached out to. As a recruiter you are generally looking for candidates for up to 30 open positions at once, and it becomes increasingly difficult to keep track of which individuals have been screened, declined, interviewed, etc. making this function extremely valuable. But searching for candidates is where it all starts, and where it gets a little tricky.

Recruiters search LinkedIn using a process very similar to SEO (search engine optimization) called Boolean searching. Like SEO helps a company to become more affectively visible to the Internet community, Boolean searches help viable candidates become more visible to a recruiter. This search tool relies on specific modifiers such as quotes, parenthesis, and combinations of AND, OR, and NOT, to help recruiters find results most closely related to the types of profiles they need to find.

Example:

Quotes- when you want to search for an exact phrase

• “executive assistant”

Parenthesis- when you want to do a complex search

•  software AND (engineer OR architect)

AND-when you want to search for profiles which include two terms

• software AND engineer

Let’s say you’re applying for a job as a systems analyst. Someone in this field uses computers and related systems to design new IT solutions₁. When recruiters search for candidates to fill system analyst positions, they look for very specific experience with certain software programs, such as C++, Javascript, SSIS, etc. so it is important to note any experience precisely on your LinkedIn profile and your resume as these programs will be most searched by recruiters.

This concept applies to all positions, so become familiar with what recruiters in your particular field are looking for, and structure your resume/ profile accordingly to highlight these skills and experiences. While recruiters appreciate seeing your GPA and relevant experience, it is more important to note what valuable skills you gained from your education and past jobs, not simply a retelling of what you did.

At the end of the day recruiters don’t care whether you’ve had 7 jobs, or 1, pending that 1 job was relevant experience to the job you’re applying for. When they search for “systems analyst” on LinkedIn, if that title is listed on your profile, you will appear in their search. So make sure you’re ready for a resume review at all times!

-Sarah Cinski

Sources:

1. http://www.prospects.ac.uk/systems_analyst_job_description.htm

Think Before You Tweet

Remember that the beginning of social media? When we were younger and had no fear of repercussions. Everyone would post whatever they wanted when they wanted. No one ever considered the consequence that picture they were posting or that comment they were making. We didn’t know about privacy settings, and we didn’t care. It was all fun and games. Oh to be so young and naive.

http://giphy.com/search/naive/3

Now, we know that definitely is not the case. As the millennials, we have observed these social media fails as they happened. We saw those similar scenarios. Like, someone posted a picture that was obviously meant to be private. Then their mother logged on to their Facebook, saw the picture, and then grounded them. Or they got an embarrassing tweet from a family member that all their friends could see.

Because of that we don’t post as much now or comment as carelessly. We have set up the proper privacy settings and blocked the right people. We are careful, but are we really?

In the world today employers, hiring managers, and even coworkers are looking you up on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, etc. According to The Web Means Everything, 75% of US recruiters are required by their companies to do extensive research on candidates. 93% of those recruiters look at your social media profiles first. 70% of recruiters have rejected those candidates solely because of what they found online. When it comes to screening, 76% of recruiters use Facebook the most, 53% use Twitter and 48% use LikendIn.

You might be thinking that privacy settings are enough. You won’t be that one person who gets caught. Did you know that employers have a way around these settings? For example, anyone can see the pictures you are tagged in by doing a quick search. All they have to do is type “photos of (insert name here)”. Simple.

If they can find out bad and inappropriate pictures of you, what else can they find?

http://giphy.com/search/hilary-duff

This might seem like I’m trying to just scare you. But, seriously, employers can find anything if they are motivated. I’m just trying to warn you know about what could happen if you aren’t careful. If in the heat of the moment you post a mean comment or make a racist joke before you had time to really sit and think about it and it could cost you your future.

So, here are something that you should definitely not do. If you have done this or it is on one of your platforms, delete it or untag yourself like now.

• First things first, inappropriate photos are a no go
  1. No photos of yourself drinking, taking drugs, shown in any sexual way, etc, (basically anything that can be construed as wrong)
  2. 46% of recruiters say that they reject a candidate if they have some kind of inappropriate photo
  3. 41% say the reject the client if it depicts drug use and drinking even if over 21
  4. Stories of caution:
     1. A teacher (of course she is over 21) posted a picture on Facebook of her holding wine and beer. She was asked to resign.
     2. A teacher in Denver posted this picture of herself smoking weed on Twitter. (what is with these teachers?) She was fired.

https://storify.com/CNN/10-people-who-learned-social-media-can-get-you-fir

• Complain about the job online where just about everyone can see it
  1. Basically don’t talk about your job online. But if you complain about it, you look especially bad
  2. 36% of recruiters rejected a candidate because they complained about previous employers
  3. Even while on the job you can be fired for the most innocent of comments
  4. Story of caution:
     1. Kimberely Swan tweeted this: “first day at work. omg (oh my God)!! So dull!!’ And then she said this two days later: “all I do is shred holepunch n scan paper!!! omg!’, while another fortnight of apparent misery produced the moan,’im so totally bord!!!’ Pretty harmless words, and yet, the next day she was fired on the spot.
• Blow your own cover
  1. If you take off work with an excuse and then tweet or post on Facebook, your employer will find out
  2. Even after you leave the job, this could haunt you
     1. 13% of recruiters reject candidates because lying about an absence
  3. Story of caution
     1. An intern decided to take off work with the excuse “something came up at work” and then posted a picture of himself on Facebook (see below) holding a beer, dressed as Tinkerbell at a Halloween party. Of course, we all know the end to this story. His boss found out, commented, and fired the kid

http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/2100445:BlogPost:40772 

• Make fun of your boss, clients, potential employer
  1. If something happens at work don’t go calling your boss names on your Twitter or talking about your clients on Facebook
     1. 36% of recruiters reject candidates who had bad mouthed previous employees
  2. Bragging doesn’t work either. It makes you look just as bad as if you were making fun of your job
  3. Story of caution
     1. Connor Riley, 22, tweeted this after she was offered a job: “Cisco just offered me a job! Now I have to weigh the utility of a fatty paycheck against the daily commute to San Jose and hating the work.” We all know what happened to her by now. She didn’t get that job.
• Make derogatory comments that relate to race, gender, or religion
  1. Just keep these comments to yourself if you have them
  2. 28% (what a small number) of recruiters reject candidates who have any kind of this content on their social media platforms
  3. Story of caution
     1. Radio show producer Mike Bacsik tweeted about the NBA playoffs and he just happened to tweet, “Congrats to all the dirty Mexicans in San Antonio”. Do you even have to wonder what happened to him? FIRED!

All the things might seem obvious to you. They were probably obvious to these people who ended up getting themselves fired. I recommend that in the heat of the moment just wait and then re-read your tweet or blog, look again at that picture or comment. Is this something you would want your employer or future employer to see? Is this something that will potentially get you fired? If the answer is yes well you better delete that sucker before you end of accidentally posting it. Just remember all my stories of caution. It could happen to you.

http://giphy.com/gifs/reaction-adventure-time-qlSsWGoGw3Rew

Sources:

https://storify.com/CNN/10-people-who-learned-social-media-can-get-you-fir

http://www.careerbuilder.com/share/aboutus/pressreleasesdetail.aspx?sd=6%2F26%2F2014&id=pr829&ed=12%2F31%2F2014

http://time.com/money/3019899/10-facebook-twitter-mistakes-lost-job-millennials-viral/

http://north.com/thinking/how-social-media-can-cost-you-your-job/