Using Social Media

During this session we’ll be exploring social media for networking, professional usage, your presence and how you can use social media to your best advantage.  

In pairs, explore yours and your partners social media profiles and consider the following. If working independently, complete the same task for just yourself.

– How would someone describe you based on your social media presence?
– Is this the image you want to portray?
– What do you think potential employers would think about you based on your public social media?

– Understand how social media can be used professionally
– Name at least three different features of LinkedIn
– Begin to create or enhance a professional profile

As a class or individually, explore and record how much time you spend on different platforms each day.

Using the following social media images, which ones do you currently engage with? What do you use these platforms for?

Get your phones out… what is your screen time usage for your social media apps? Share and compare with the class or share with a friend if working independently.

If we’re spending time on other social media platforms throughout the month, why not allocate some of that time to a platform which can contribute positively to your future?

LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network on the internet. You can use LinkedIn to find the right job or internship, connect and strengthen professional relationships, and learn the skills you need to succeed in your career.

LinkedIn is a platform for anyone who is looking to advance their career. This can include people from various professional backgrounds, such as small business owners, students, and job seekers. LinkedIn members can use the platform to tap into a network of professionals, companies, and groups within and beyond their industry.

In small groups, or working individually, take a look at the example LinkedIn profiles and identify what you think they have done well and what they could improve.

1. Complete a LinkedIn Profile – Including a sensible and up to date photo; a headline listing either your current role or where you study; and a brief overview of your interests, skills and ambitions.

2. Connect With Other LinkedIn Users – This is a great way to stay up to date with the latest developments, and to share information with others in your field. Send a message to someone or invite them to connect with you.

3. Message/Contact Users Within Your Chosen Field Be bold and contact someone with a question, query or simply like or comment on a post. 

4. Find Jobs, Opportunities and Post use LinkedIn for finding future job opportunities. Follow organisations of interest and see if they have any upcoming opportunities that you could get involved in. 

Either on your own or with a partner, begin to plan out your own LinkedIn Professional Profile. You can download LinkedIn onto your phones or if you’d prefer to use paper you can do this. 

Consider the following: 

1. Your actual/full name
2. The correct information in the personal bio (for example, your current place of study, what your ambitions are and interests)
3. Work experience history (this can include work experience at school or college or volunteering – or Unloc programmes!)
4. Any education and qualifications
5. Who could you connect with that relate to your interests? People, businesses etc
6. Who would you want to follow or connect with?

Use the Teams form for this tutorial session to answer the questions below:

– What is one thing that makes a good LinkedIn profile?
– What do employers consider when looking at your social media profiles?
– What practical steps can you take to strengthen your online presence?