Which Social Media Profiles Should You Include on Your Resume?
You may think of your social media profiles as something for your personal use, but they can help you professionally when you're looking for a job. They can set you apart from the competition by allowing a recruiter to get to know you a little better through exploring your personal brand.
Of course, you shouldn't list all your social media profiles. It’s not like you have to add any—your social media life is none of your employer’s business (unless you want it to be, that is). This means you should exercise caution with your privacy settings because if your company wants to make something you’ve shared publicly its business, it certainly can. The key is knowing which accounts to add to your resume, which ones to leave out, and how to make sure you're not accidentally sharing private information.
Let's examine some best practices. If you need help adding social media profiles to your resume or professional resume services in general, take a look at what we have to offer.
LinkedIn is the most important social media platform to include on your resume. This one also makes the most sense to add because it’s specifically meant for connecting with employers and other professionals.
Being a part of this powerful network shows recruiters that you pay attention to the latest developments in personal branding and marketing. Moreover, it indicates that you’re ambitious and keen on constantly improving yourself. In the best case, it also lets them see a side of you that your resume doesn’t reveal.
Just make sure you keep your LinkedIn profile updated and polished. Upload a current professional photo, work history, and experience. If you learn a new skill, show it off proudly on your profile. You can also share why an employer should choose you over someone else, how you can help a company grow, and what you value in a job. You can use your posts to present the side of yourself that you want employers and professional connections to see.
YouTube
YouTube videos can provide the perfect proof of your talents for jobs that require on-camera or public-speaking skills. If video-editing skills are relevant to your job, this is the best way you could showcase yours. Your videos can also be used to display other skills that may be necessary for a position, such as sales, marketing, or leadership.
However, remember to adjust your privacy settings so that hiring managers can only view content that's appropriate. If you also publish videos that you’d rather a recruiter not see, the best option may be to set up multiple YouTube channels.
If your account is active and your tweets paint you in a positive light, consider including Twitter on your resume. Of course, if you use this platform to angrily berate strangers who disagree with your opinions, you’ll want to keep your profile far away from your professional persona.
Twitter is a powerful way to show your interests, your personality, and even your sense of humor. Just make sure your posts aren't filled with anger, negativity, or controversial topics such as polarizing politics. If there’s a risk that a hiring manager could stumble across something you don’t want them to see, err on the side of caution and don’t list your Twitter handle.
Facebook and Instagram
Include either of these social media platforms on your resume if your posts showcase your talents or personality traits in a way that makes you stand out to a recruiter.
For example, you will benefit if you're applying for a job as a mental health assistant and you primarily share posts on Facebook about mental health awareness and advocacy. If you want to work in social media, both Facebook and Instagram could show a hiring manager that you understand the platforms’ individual nuances and are skilled at improving a company's visibility and engagement, thus promoting its growth. Like YouTube, Instagram could also allow you to demonstrate your design, photography, and photo-editing skills if those are relevant to the position you’re eyeing.
Again, be sure to adjust your privacy settings so that the platforms don't reveal parts of your life intended to be seen only by close friends and family.
In summary
Consider including one or more of these social networks on your resume, but use your best judgment. They are not a mandatory element, so only focus on the ones that are related to your industry, show you in a good light, and help set you apart from the competition. When in doubt, opt against including them—you won’t be punished if your resume contains no links to your social media profiles, but you’ll certainly pay if you share them and they’re not to the recruiter’s liking. If you require professional help with crafting your resume, take a look at how we can be of service
