Social Resume? Think Twice, LinkedIn

Whenever we engage new designers or developers at Fama, we always ask to see their portfolio or social resume. For designers, this typically means sending us a link to their Dribbble page, allowing us to review their approach to creating great user experiences and see if their design philosophy aligns with our vision. Software developers usually share their GitHub profiles, giving us insight into their previous projects and coding mindset.

These online profiles serve as a knowledge base, helping Fama reduce the unknowns about each candidate. Non-developers and designers often don’t have online repositories showcasing their work, so they rely on social media to craft their professional identity and attract potential employers.

This morning, Fast Company published an article titled, "Here's How to Use Social Media at Each Stage of Your Career." The article emphasizes that while it’s essential to delete or set to private anything you wouldn’t want your future boss to see, it’s equally important to fill your feeds with content that would catch employers' attention. While it’s true that negative content, like misogynistic tweets or abusive photos, can hinder job prospects, positive online activity often propels candidates forward in the recruitment process.

The article also discusses building relationships on social media and how job seekers should establish a presence. However, it misses a crucial detail: employers are looking for specific traits when screening candidates online.

At Fama, we refer to these as 'good flags.' These are signs of charitable involvement, check-ins at non-profits, and other altruistic behaviors. Companies aim to build community-driven organizations to enhance their corporate social responsibility, and these positive actions provide evidence of good character, reinforcing what candidates say in interviews. Employers care about these aspects, so remember to showcase your volunteer work on social media.

For more insights, you can read the full Fast Company article here.