Celebrities have learned that social media is the best way to advance their career, and while you may not be looking to land a role in the next blockbuster or keep your $50 million fashion line afloat, your favorite stars can teach you a lot about how to succeed in your own career goals. Here are three simple rules that will help you craft and utilize your social media footprint to land your next starring role:
Rule #1: Image Is Everything (And You Have the Power to Tailor It)
Examples: Taylor Swift, Ellen DeGeneres
We all create versions of ourselves for social media, and celebrities (and their teams of assistants) have this down to a science. For example, Taylor Swift, shares posts that make her seem “approachable.” Her fans don’t just feel like they have a connection to her, they feel like she could be one of their friends. Ellen DeGeneres shares posts that are goofy, yet wholesome. This matches the image that is presented on her show. You have the power to craft your own image on Social Media, and when it comes to getting a job, nothing will sell you more than looking both professional, yet approachable, meaning that you’ll get the work done, and fit in well with the office.
Rule #2: Looking Professional Will You Seem Professional
Example: Justin Timberlake
People judge you by how you look, and celebrities learned long ago that they can use that to turn themselves into whoever they need to be. Take Justin Timberlake for example. When he first burst on the scene with *N SYNC, his fashion sense left a certain “something” to be desired (a denim suit is never appropriate!). As his career matured and he went solo, JT updated his fashion sense, trading his old boy-band look for those of a fashionable crooner. Now, you can’t solely credit his suit and tie (sorry, had to) for his new image, but it definitely helped. Of course you’d wear a suit to an interview because you want to be seen as professional, but if the first time a potential employer sees you is on Instagram or LinkedIn, you need to craft a similarly professional image there, too. You don’t have to be formal all the time, but if you’re looking for a job, select profile photos and share pictures that will leave employers wanting to meet you.
Rule #3: Use Your Fan Base to Get Yourself Opportunities
Examples: Justin Bieber, Carly Rae Jepsen
In the music industry, your online fan base can be as important as your record sales. In fact, some of today’s biggest artists got their big break because of their social media fan base. Both Justin Bieber and professional earworm Carly Rae Jepsen were signed to major labels because their posts got so many likes from their followers. Musicians, artists, and actors are now using their social media followers as a tool in advancing their careers. Unless you’re in PR, Social Media, or entertainment, you may not get a job due to the number of followers you have, but you can still use your own social media “fan base” to get career opportunities. Follow people at companies you’re targeting or tap your network for introductions and job advice. Share your professional achievements, and don’t be afraid to inquire about work. It used to be that you had to go out of your way to network. Now, thanks to social media, you can meet new people and share your skills in a matter of seconds.
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