Social proof may replace the reference check one day. There is good reason for believing it will. As the unemployment rate shrinks, the competition for jobs is growing. At the same time, employers have changed the way the vet candidates. CareerBuilder’s annual social media recruitment survey found that 60 percent of employers check candidates’ social media accounts – a 500 percent increase over the last decade.
Employers want more than resume clichés from candidates, which is why your social media activity – and the things people say about you on social media – speak so loudly to employers. We call this “social proof”: proof of the value you create as an employee shared by others on social media.
Many people fail to invest in collecting social proof, but that’s a big mistake. Here are five ways in which a lack of social proof can harm your career:
1. A Lack of Social Proof Suggests You Haven’t Done Anything Impressive
Does the cliché “There’s nothing here to write home about” apply to you? When employers are checking your social media profiles, having nothing to show is equally as bad as a profile full of inappropriate party pictures.Who are you? Are you more than competent at your current position? How do you contribute? These are the questions employers want your social media presence to answer.
Social proof sells your knowledge, skills, and abilities. If you want to be discovered, you need to point employers toward your rich profiles and portfolios online.
2. A Lack of Social Proof Exposes an Incomplete Career Story
Most people have incomplete social profiles and resumes full of generalities. Unless referred by someone for a job, they will unlikely receive any calls back from employers. If you don’t have substance to display, your chances of being ignored are high.
A complete story that includes social proof can show the accomplishments and impact of your career. Someone interested in your career exploits will want to stay informed about what you’re up to – and that’s a good thing! That means you are memorable and have created a meaningful story for your career.
3. A Lack of Social Proof Reveals a Lack of Hustle
What you don’t say speaks volumes. When there’s no social proof, people will start to create narratives for you – narratives that aren’t necessarily true. You don’t want a lack of proof to speak for you when you can leverage proof for your success.
Social proof shows you’re taking extra steps to ensure your marketability. It shows that your options are open and you desire to put your best foot forward. It also says you want to strengthen your career narrative. It confirms the authenticity of your goals and aspirations. It’s a powerful way to keep employers and recruiters coming back for more.
4. A Lack of Social Proof Says Everything Anyone Needs to Know About You
If your voice is the only voice talking about what you’ve done, people will just write it off as bragging. When others are sharing testimony about you, it substantiates your abilities. People envision you doing the same things for them.
When we hear people telling stories about how others have helped them, we are assured and comforted more than we are by lists of certifications and degrees. Recruiters and employers will start to trust you even before meeting you, and soon, you’ll be a serious contender in their eyes. If you’re the only witness to the great things you do, then you only serve yourself.
5. A Lack of Social Proof Drains Authenticity From Your Brand
Without social proof, you lack authenticity. Employers are unlikely to contact you if you lack “realness.” Quotes, stories, and endorsements from others strengthen your authority and prove your brand is accurate.
Social proof provokes engagement of some type. Sometimes that just means a click of the “like” button, but over time, this engagement will add layers of interest. Enough of it will compel others to start taking notice and spreading the word. Remember, though, that you want to draw attention without being outrageous.
People draw closer to you when you have a strong voice. Common ways to establish a voice include writing blog posts or producing videos related to what you do and how you do it. If you show your personality through these things, you will be more memorable. When your accomplishments are clear, others will want to know more about them. In the end, you’ll become indispensable.
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About Mark Anthony Dyson
My name is Mark Anthony Dyson, and I am the Founder of The Voice of Job Seekers. I am a career advice writer, but more importantly, I hack and re-imagine the job search process.. I've worked with hundreds of job seekers one-on-one helping them to construct a narrative and strategy that appeals to hiring managers and recruiters. I present at colleges and organizations, and facilitated many workshops including my volunteer effort through a Job Lab. I write and create useful job search content on this blog and write career and workplace advice for blogs such as Glassdoor, Payscale, Job-Hunt.org, Prezi and more. Media Feature highlights: Forbes, Business Insider, NBC News, Glassdoor, LinkedIn's #GetHired, and NPR Freelance writer and content contributor: Glassdoor, Payscale, job-hunt.org, The Financial Diet, RippleMatch.com and more. Contact me to contribute career, job search, or workplace advice for your site at markanthonydyson@gmail.com.