Whether your summer plans consist of exciting road trips with your girls or snuggling in bed watching Shark Tank with a pint of Ben and Jerry’s Coffee Heath Bar Crunch wrapped tightly in your arms, I have some advice for you. No matter where you are or what you’re doing, you can get a head start on your career by polishing up your professional side. Here are some effortless ways to build a solid portfolio that you can whip out whenever you need!
Social media detox
There’s nothing quite like a strong detox to cleanse out all impurities, so let’s apply this concept to all of our beloved social media accounts–starting with Facebook. It might take some time, but scroll through your entire timeline and delete all content that might be even slightly harmful to your reputation. Whether it’s a party snap with not-so obvious Solo cups in the back or a shot of you scantily-clad in a bikini from spring break, don’t take the risk of keeping it up! Employers browse your Facebook to get a more personal gauge of you after perusing your resume, cover letter and LinkedIn. If they don’t like what they see, your chances of landing that job will be reduced. If possible, delete any immature arguments and comments as well, even if they happened over a year ago. This is especially important for Twitter because it’s easier to retrieve tweets from a later date. So squash all that nasty Twitter and Facebook beef in your spare time.
Brand yourself
The most valuable trait you can possess is to assert yourself as a brand. What this means is that you’re more than a person with a skill set. Rather, you’re a person with a specific skill set who can change the game, someone who can turn cotton into cashmere. Branding means establishing your reputation. It also means setting your feet in multiple social media platforms and connecting the dots between each one, ultimately creating a miniature empire of you! It does take time but it’s definitely the most rewarding (and exciting) thing you can do. For any of you creative collegiate gals who love getting crafty, the most important tip is to keep your appearance consistent. Create a logo and theme that will be used to identify you as a unique brand. When visitors notice your logo and theme appear on multiple sites, then you’ll gain credibility and a possible clientele!
Mix and mingle
You might be the most social butterfly in the colony or the shyest caterpillar in the pod, but one thing is true: communication is key. The best way to develop your people skills is to talk to strangers. I know mama told you otherwise, but hear me out. Talk to as many strangers (within reason) as you can this summer. Hear their stories and share some of yours. Compliment others, be open but be sharp. Communication is actually highly regarded in the workplace, and the only way to be the best communicator is to practice with strangers. This is so important for those caterpillars out there to remember. Don’t be intimidated by others! Building your professional portfolio requires not only grades and experience but also the ability to communicate with others. So the next time you jot down “excellent people skills” in that resume, you can actually back that up!
Lazy summer? Not with these tips! Good luck collegiettes.