Social Media Trends
How do you stay current with social media trends?
I must admit... I am always seeking to try to better understand social media usage. Obviously everyone is using Facebook and Linked; myself included - but I am not always technically focused on it's day to day work application. My tendency is to pick up the phone or to write a note to make connections however, I certainly use both to try to re-connect with Students, Alumni, and Business leaders to support our Career Services efforts.
I am hopeful to learn, through this course, more ideas to apply this embedded social dynamic tool and to stay current with its usage
I actually keep up with social media trends through my children :). Whatever they use and is trendy, I do. Just recently joined Instagram, already have Twitter and did a Facebook for school. It's good to keep up with students in a "non-school" way, and see what's going on in their life. I feel like if I "like" their posts and comment on things not school related, they're more likely to have a relationship with me. I figure, long after their placement they'll become hiring managers who I can place new grads with!
I have a Facebook account, LinkedIn, and Twitter. I found a graduate in CA that I could not post because she was on Facebook where she worked. I called there and she answered the phone! She became a placement. I teach my soon to be grads how to use LinkedIn to get ahead in their fields. Am new to Twitter but will use more inthe future.
I currently stay abreast with the social media trends by using the main ones like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and of course, LinkedIn. I have had major success reaching and keeping up with my students with these sites. I also see the importance of Data Mining for use in my Career Services department.
Hi Steve,
I have found Twitter is best used to listen. Think of Twitter like a news service - what do you want to stay up on - job search tips, industry news, etc.? Find the influential users on Twitter tweeting about your topics of interest and follow them. I compare it to subscribing to magazines only you are following people. I scan my Twitter stream daily to stay current and fresh on my own topics of interest. You can find Twitter influencers on topics using tools like listorius or wefollow.
Regarding the social tools you advocate students use - have you found one (or a few) that they tend to like most and why?
Robert Starks Jr.
We have an Alumni Group on Facebook where we post information about career opportunities and special events on and off campus (e.g. guest speakers, Career Fairs, and other hiring events). It's still a challenge to get alumni to create content, but a few of them are posting for their own businesses which is nice to see. I've also had some success using Facebook to contact students and graduates unresponsive to phone calls and email and just recently I was able to place a student with a local business after that business posted a need on their Facebook page.
I try to use LinkedIn more and more, but I still feel there are untapped resources within that platform. I recently joined some groups that might be looking for culinary graduates/students to expand my relationships.
When it comes to Twitter, I definitely find it challenging to find ways for it to be productive from a Career Services point of view. Yes, many restaurants are tweeting about their events, but rarely are they relevant to job searches. Our campus has its own handle but is not as active as it could be.
We encourage students to maintain a presence on social media by creating virtual portfolios using Flickr, Instagram, Imgur, etc. as well as profiles on LinkedIn. We speak to them about ensuring their content is professional, since as was covered in the lesson, employers are screening via social media.
Hi Christina,
You share an excellent example of strategically using a social network to meet your identified goals. The description of your intentional use of LinkedIn to specifically connect with colleagues, local recruiters, and HR managers is a perfect example of how you've deliberately designed your PLN (Personal Learning Network). Using the word-of-mouth information shared by your carefully selected network, you learn in real-time and continuously. The examples of useful information you share such as IT certification trends, fresh job orders and leads, and even employer feedback on the characteristics they seek in candidates are all a result of your intentional use of this one platform. Although it may seem like common sense, I have found that many use tools such as LinkedIn without having first identified their intent, goals, and thus, strategy of how they will wield the tool to serve their work/business needs. You've done this brilliantly and this is merely one example of goals that may be achieved. Thank you for sharing as you've illustrated a real-world example of strategic and intentional use of social tools to serve your objectives vs. simply using tools to communicate with others.
Robert Starks Jr.
Through my LinkedIn page, I am connected with Career Services Advisor from my school as well as other schools. By keeping up with their updates and connections, as well as connecting with local recruiters and HR managers I am able to see what types of jobs are available, as well as see what sorts of employee characteristics they are looking for. In placing IT, I am seeing more and more certifications being required instead of preferred, which is a clear signal that this is a growing trend in the market and is a concrete message that I can give to the students who are questioning whether they should sign up to take certs.
Hi Joyah,
Glad to have you in the course. I love the idea of using trivia questions to engage students. In what ways are you hoping to transform the increased contact into meeting department objectives?
Robert Starks Jr.
How do you stay current with social media trends?
Good Morning! I'm new to the Career Services department here at my school. I am familiar with Social Media. I am eager to start my new adventures with my new career. I have my own personal page, as well as Twitter, and LinkedIn. I am creating a plan to present to my Regional director to show insight as to how the trends can increase contact with students. I've used it at previous schools and the students responded well, they enjoyed the interactions with the instructors and other students from other states. They love the trivia questions because it offered them a way to "study" and have fun while reiterating what they have retained.
Hi Sheri,
This sounds like a great, practical approach. Thanks for sharing!
Robert Starks Jr.
We decided to start with the popular ones (Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.) so that our teams can get familiar and understand them. Then we made a commitment to use them to really understand how each works, functions, etc. Then the committee meets to discuss how each tool would/could benefit Career Services. For example, it was determined that Pinterest was not a tool that we wanted to use at this time. We were looking for interaction and engagement with students and grads and that did not fit our need at this time. However, developing a specific Career Services Facebook page did.
Hi Sheri!
How did you determine which social media tools to spend time learning and what constitutes mastery? I ask because I have found many do not distinguish between using a tool (similar to using a phone) vs. developing a strategy or purpose incorporating new tools. Are you able to further explain for those who may wish to know more of your methods?
Robert Starks Jr.
One way to stay current is not to be afraid of the social media tools that are out there. Within our organization, we have formed a social media committee, made up of Career Services Directors. Each member is given a form of social media (LinkedIn, Twitter, blogging, etc.) to research and master. Then once a month we meet and give presentations to the group. This way we all stay current and try to master different social media trends in a shorter period of time. Then it is up to the committee members to train the members of their career services department.
Hi Faney,
That's great your students are so positive. If you ever encounter a negative person, I know other institutions try to provide concise responses and instructions to contact a specific person either by phone or email to resolve issues off the public platform. This seems the norm but I am always curious to hear what others are doing.
Thank you.
Robert Starks Jr.
So far we have not gotten any negative feedback and if that were the case we would try to reply in a professional manner. Our students usually come to our facilities because they have a passion to learn the topic that they chose and we allow them to work in groups and get hands on experience with the equipment so they are normally excited to share that they had fun while learning what they like.
Hello Faney,
Have you run into instances where students are sharing negative comments or experiences? How do you handle these types of issues? If you have not encountered this, do you have a protocol established or process for if/when it does?
Thanks!
Robert Starks Jr.
Our school shares events, student pictures and announcements on their Facebook and Twitter pages. Not only it keeps both potential and current students informed, but its also a great way for the students to write about the wonderful experiences that they are having, which encourages more students to join.
Hi Daniel,
What a great partnership and one that aligns well with multiple goals. Thank you for sharing!
Robert Starks Jr.
