Work With What Ya Have
Some of us are more financially stable than others. Others may be a bit more tech-savvy, while others may have a bit more of a natural drive. We are all meant for different things and thrive in different ways. The thing that helped me the most in finding what worked for my work ethic is utilizing the platforms that worked with my budget, time commitment and platform requirements. I work with video and writing, so platforms like Instagram, TikTok and Wix are all great for me personally, however, they may not be the best choice for someone getting their law degree.
Also, finances may play another factor into what you choose. If you are living on a minimum wage college budget, maybe you can only afford the free-access versions of certain platforms. This comes more into play for more job-based platforms than it does for social media sites, but it is still a valid option. Sites like LinkedIn, Handshake and Wix all offer free versions that don’t necessarily give you all the fun bonus features, but, more often than not, you don’t need those.
I also prefer platforms that don’t require a lot of upkeep. Posting and updating on my own time and through a schedule that works best for me was something I knew would work in my favor. If you have the time and are willing to commit to a scheduled posting time, that is going to work really well in your favor.
All in all, find what works best for you and go from there. Trial and error is such a large part of utilizing platforms and pitching yourself virtually.
Go for the Unlikely Opportunity
It took me so long to believe I was good enough for certain opportunities. I would sabotage my own opportunities before anyone else could, which is something I don’t think I stand alone in. I think I am a diligent worker and I produce things that I am normally proud of, but if I start thinking about the physical aspect of pitching it to someone, I back out. I think the biggest learning curve I took from that is pretending that you are pitching and producing something solely for yourself.
I remade my resume three times this past year alone. A lot of that comes from me just simply trying to make it look prettier and more organized. I have been lucky enough to have a nice handful of things I’ve made or been a part of in my field, but pitch what applies to you. If you don’t have a ton of experience yet, including what you have done in other areas or goals you have for future endeavors.
After you have done all that, shoot big. It doesn’t have to work out. You may fall flat on your face, and rejection is a big part of gaining that ambition. I have applied for so many positions that I knew I likely wouldn’t get, but it made it a lot easier to confront that idea later when I was more likely and qualified.
Checklist
- Mentally prepare to hype yourself up/gain confidence
- Create a mood board either mentally or physically of ideas and platforms you want to involve yourself with
- Start with your resume or a single platform (you can build more later, but you may get confused about what you have included in what)
- Handle upkeep with what you post (promote, repost, interact with others, etc.)
A Few Platforms to Get Started
- Wix
- TikTok
- Handshake
- Indeed
Advocating for yourself doesn’t have to be a chore. Even just reposting old work of yours or something you are proud of can be something to not only promote but also give yourself some credit. No matter what you choose to do, make sure you feel fulfilled and do it for reasons that help you rather than hurt you. Now get out there and hype yourself up!