State Fair Community College’s Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) members, while working on their Honors in Action Project, learned that a person’s social media presence could affect employment both positively and negatively. Through research, the members discovered that cyber vetting job candidates has become standard practice and that 70 percent of business managers reported they have not hired applicants because of information discovered about the applicants via social media. However, job candidates can leverage social media to their advantage when maintaining a positive, professional presence.
One way to create a more professional presence is through LinkedIn, a social networking website used by people who want to connect with past and current co-workers, look for a new job and discover business opportunities and network with others in a particular industry. Users create a LinkedIn profile that includes details about their education, work history, skills, knowledge, and a photo of themselves. A key profile component is a good picture of the user.
To address this need, SFCC’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter will host a free photo session from 10-11:30 a.m. Dec. 6 in the Donald C. Proctor Library in Yeater Learning Center on the Sedalia campus. The event is free and open to the public. Business attire is recommended.
Participants can receive a professional, digital headshot to upload to their LinkedIn account. Additionally, participants will receive information on how to create an effective profile.
“A positive presence on LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional social networking site, begins with the right profile photo,” said SFCC student Elizabeth Johnson, a Phi Theta Kappa member on the Honors in Action team. “According to a recent article on Inc.com, LinkedIn users with a professional photo receive 14 times more views; a selfie will not cut it.
“One of Phi Theta Kappa’s missions is to develop leadership through service, which is why our chapter wants to provide this photo opportunity to not only students but also the community.”
SFCC’s Career Services also will be present to help SFCC students set up an account in the College Central Network, an online tool that helps match users with jobs in their career field.
Phi Theta Kappa is an international honors organization for community college students.
For more information, contact instructors and co-advisors Sarah Nail at (660) 596-7336 or snail1@sfccmo.edu, or Mike Davis at (660) 596-7321 or mdavis@sfccmo.edu.
