Would you like to create a profile on professional social networks, but don’t know how to do it? Don’t worry, we’re here to help you understand how it all works!

What is a professional social network? As the name suggests, it’s a social network designed to:

• create your own work-related network (Auntie Jean may well ask you to be a friend: it’s up to you whether you accept),
• discover/post business news (there’s no question here of sharing your thoughts on the latest episode of a junk TV series),
• help you search for job offers, apply for jobs, etc.

Why create a profile? The main objective is to look for a job and make yourself visible to employers. If you just want to chat with the handsome guy in the Accounts department that you noticed during your last internship, this may not be the place…

What attitude should you adopt? To be visible on professional social networks, you need to be active. You can also share your professional news with your network and react to the various publications of the people you follow, while bearing in mind that your future employers are not far away. So be careful not to spread yourself too thin and stay focused on subjects related to the business world.

How do you promote your profile? Although they are called ‘social networks’, professional social networks have different codes and uses from others. You’ll use your profile to apply for jobs, contact recruiters and find out about the company you’re interested in. So it’s vital that it’s professional and attractive.

•  Lesson no. 1: the photo
  We know you love photos but forget the duck face photo you took at your school’s last party, or your summer 2019 beach selfie with Gaya, your little spitz dog. We’re going a bit overboard here, but do you get the idea? We’re going for the essentials: a neutral or professional background, related to your job for example, a classic outfit, and a posture that suits you (if you like smiling, there’s nothing wrong with that, quite the opposite! Recruiters need to see at a glance your personality in this image).
• Lesson no. 2: your professional summary
  To give a potential recruiter a good summary of your experience and skills, take the time to fill in your profile carefully. As with your CV, list your most recent experiences, and complete them with your main tasks and the skills you have acquired. This digital version of your CV will enable you to update this information regularly, so that you’re ready as soon as an offer interests you.
• Lesson no. 3: interests and networking
  As we said earlier, the value of this type of network is also that you can keep in touch with former colleagues, and add people who are related to your job, or influencers in the sector that interests you. Professional social networks are a mine of information about the world of employment and companies, so don’t hesitate to subscribe to company pages, communities and school groups. Who knows, you might find that dream job in a few years’ time!

Don’t forget that recruiters spend less than a minute on average looking at an application. The first mistake can be fatal… Take the time to re-read your application or ask someone you know to do it for you (Auntie Jean, for example).

Professional social networks, as their names suggest, are for professional content. As in a HR interview, your personal life, religion or political opinions are your own business.

When you share information, your credibility is at stake. Make sure you only share reliable sources 😉

A bit like when you proudly change your status to ‘in a relationship’, remember to update your profile! It should be updated as and when you change assignments, position or company, to best reflect your professional situation and future expectations.

You are now ready to create an account on the professional social networks. All the best for your endeavors!