Curating Your Social Media Presence

Group of people using social media on smartphones

Meaghan Mcisaac | April, 11, 2022

Careers

Always put your best foot forward when it comes to the job hunt – that includes your digital footprint! New employers may check out your social media profiles – it’s a quick way to get a sense of who you are as a person and how you’ll fit on their team. A professional looking, thoughtfully curated social media presence is a sure way to wow any prospective employers who look you up.

In today's North American job market, social media emerges as a potent tool. A considerable 72.3% of the United States population and a substantial 89% of the Canadian population actively engage with social media. Notably, video content shared on these platforms surpasses the combined engagement on traditional text and image content, boasting an impressive 1,200% more likes and shares. Another crucial aspect of this valuable tool is content curation which possesses a variety of benefits for self-marketing and more.

In this blog, we'll delve into the definition and advantages of curated content, examine key social media platforms and explore the distinctions between a personal and professional social media presence.

What is curated content?

Curated content refers to content sourced from external brands or individuals that you share across your social media platforms. Instances of curated content include sharing links to blog posts, compiling quotes from industry experts or reposting someone else's social media content. There are also many benefits to content curation that can help enhance your professional image online.

Benefits to content curation

Content curation not only enhances self-marketing efforts but also prevents "burnout." It functions as a tool to rejuvenate your workflow by allowing you to take a break from creating original content and instead, organize existing material, infusing it with your distinctive perspectives. Moreover, content curation contributes to audience building, enabling you to share brand-relevant content that sparks engagement and fosters growth. Additionally, curated content plays a role in boosting search engine optimization (SEO) and elevating brand visibility on the web. Providing proper citations for sources is also incredibly effective for brands because it drives online traffic and enhance your online presence.

While content curation might appear straightforward, its approach may vary depending on the social media platform you utilize.

This is the most formal of the platforms – a place specifically for employers and job hunters to connect.

Make sure your profile is complete with a professional looking profile picture. Be yourself, show your personality, and dress appropriately for the kind of work you are looking for. Spend time on your summary – be confident about what you have accomplished!

If you meet someone in your industry at a seminar or an expo, add them to your LinkedIn connections. Build your list. You never know what contacts could help you find the job you’re looking for.

And don’t forget to repost relevant curated content to your feed – this will keep your presence fresh by appearing in the feeds of your connections.

Facebook and Instagram

Facebook and Instagram are great platforms to showcase your personality – your hobbies, your travels, your interests. Also, if you are looking to work in more creative industries, it’s a great way to showcase some of your projects.

And don’t forget, those companies you see yourself working for someday? They likely have Instagram profiles and Facebook pages too! Check them out and see what sorts of content they are posting. Let it inspire you to curate and create content that would appeal to the industry you want to work in.

Twitter

Like LinkedIn, Twitter is a great platform to build connections. Follow companies and people in your industry. Showcase how you understand your field by sharing articles and memes that are relevant to conversations in your industry. Engage in relevant hashtags, and build your following. This shows potential employers that you have an active interest in you field.

Personal vs Professional

In today’s digital world, it’s increasingly hard to define your personal and professional space online. What we want to share with our best friend, might not be what we want shared with our coworkers. It’s helpful to make a private account, for sharing personal life experiences with family and friends, and a more professional account, with posts relevant and specific to your professional life.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do you curate social media content?

Curating content is a straightforward process that involves visiting websites like Google, searching for your chosen topic and exploring various formats such as blogs, articles, videos and social media posts in the search results. Popular social platforms like YouTube, Instagram and Facebook provide search bars and "recommended" pages, making it easy to find visual and written content to enrich your curated collection.

What does curating social media mean?

Social media curation involves discovering, organizing and sharing relevant content from external sources, be it other brands or individuals, across your social media platforms. This curated content is usually relevant to your self-brand and identity to engage your audience.