How to Transfer Your Value Statement to Social Networks

The value statement you've written to help in your job search translates to your social media presence in three ways: Headlines, profile summaries, and profile pictures. If you’ve done your keyword research and written your value statement, all you have to do is copy and paste that statement into your online profiles.

Condense your value statement into a headline

The headline you use in LinkedIn, any online résumé, or the bio area in Twitter is connected with your name on almost every communication you send. It’s therefore one of the first things anyone sees about you, so you need to be sure to get it right.

Think of your headline as a very boiled-down and condensed version of your value statement. It shouldn’t be longer than 120 characters in LinkedIn or 160 characters in Twitter, including spaces. Make sure to use at least one of your keywords, two at best. And if you currently work for a company, mention the company and role by name. Otherwise, it looks like you’re unemployed.

One way to separate ideas in your headline is to use vertical bars. Here are a couple of examples:

Web developer | Web designer | President of a local design interest group

Author | Trainer | E-learning visionary | Expert in improving corporate training programs

Branding is not only about what you like but also about what your audience likes. That audience may include potential employers, recruiters, peers — basically anyone who listens to you. Knowing whether your brand is successful depends on how your audience responds.

So test a headline out for a week and see what kind of response you get. Then the next week, test out another one. Keep changing it until you get the results you want.

Whatever you do with your headline, don’t beg for a job. Although the marketplace is filled with desperate job seekers, you don’t want to be one of them (even though you may feel desperate). Differentiate yourself by showing your confidence. Make employers want you. Instead of saying, “I’m looking for . . . ,” lead with how you can add value to their organization.

Also, be sure to include as much personality as possible. Would you rather be an experienced marketing professional or a marketing visionary who thrives on growing powerful brands through innovative teamwork?

Maximize your profile picture for your job search

The image you use on your social media profiles acts like an application icon on your computer. Just as you know that big blue W is for Microsoft Word, when people see the colors and shape of your image, they know it’s you.

Your social media photo serves as a visual reminder to your audience and shouldn’t change that often. So take a good profile picture now and then forget about it for the next few years.

A good headshot has interesting negative space around the head. Professional photographers ask you to tilt your head slightly or stand sideways and then look at the camera over a shoulder. Try several head tilting positions yourself to alter the negative space about your head. Oh, and remember to smile!

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