What social networking information should be contained on your resume? Do you reference your LinkedIn address? What about Twitter and Facebook? Do you have a major presence on one or all of these? How about the myriad other, albeit smaller players in the space? For what it's worth, here's my two cents on what should be referenced on your 2.0 resume:
1. Reference Your LinkedIn Address At The Top Of Your Resume
For those inclined, they will connect to you and also obtain additional information regarding your background while learning about your extended connections. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, and LinkedIn is a great way to leverage your professional connections. It also demonstrates your ability to engage with others, particularly from a business perspective if you post information and participate in discussions on the site.2. Twitter... Well That's A Bit Different
You can certainly reference your Twitter address; due to the flurry of information that flows therein, and the 140 character limit you should not just post a Twitter address. I recommend referencing something specific on the resume with respect to this. Consider adding not only your Twitter name, but also adding some information regarding the types of things you post about. You can include this under an Additional Experience header at the bottom of the page. If you write a blog or several blogs for different sites, consider listing that as well, with some detailed 411 about your posts. You might even create a link in the event someone wants to read something you have written.3. Here's Where Facebook Fits In
If you are using Facebook to reconnect with old friends, share pictures of your family, including the one with little Suzie baking a cake with Grandma Rose, leave it off. A resume is not the place for this type of personal interaction. I have found that Facebook is more social than professional, and would therefore stick to things on the resume that are indicative of how you tie social media to your professional life. There are many other social networking sites out there. Since you cannot reference all of them, choose those where you are most active; provide some data on the resume to let the reader know that you have an understanding of these tools and use them to share information with a larger community. A resume does not just have to present a reverse chronological listing of your job history. It should serve as an engaging tool to allow a potential hiring manager the opportunity to learn about what makes you unique as a candidate.The Bottom Line
If you are using social networking sites to promote your professional life, then by all means include information on the resume. If you are using the sites to engage with friends and loved ones, the resume is not the place to do that. Enjoy this article? You’ve got time for another! Check out these related articles:- 3 Critical Elements of Every LinkedIn Invitation
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