ΝΕΑ

19/08/2016

How to use social media to build professional skills

Social media can be a powerful tool to build professional skills, knowledge, and relationships. However, to get real learning value out of it, there are three important questions to take into consideration: what, when and who.

What do I want to learn?

This is the first question to be asked as you need to think about your industry. What can you learn more about it? Following smart industry leaders on LinkedIn and Twitter to see what they’re reading and what they’re thinking about is a great way to keep up to date with the latest developments in your field. From that you can learn key industry hashtags on Twitter to discover new resources and trends. Search for the best blogs and podcasts in your industry by reading or listening further when you find a thought-provoking story that a co-worker has shared online.

Think about your skill gaps, too. If you do a lot of presentations and are getting tired of Excel charts, start looking at infographics on Pinterest to get inspiration for how you can do a better job of presenting data. If time management is an ongoing issue for you, follow a list of productivity experts on Twitter to get their latest tips. These tips will not only strengthen your professional skills; they will also broaden your network. By re-sharing the useful resources you find on LinkedIn and Twitter, you can find others who are interested in the same topics as you and build a community of learning.

When do I have time for learning?

It is important to think about your time management. Hence, put some thought into when you have time and mental energy for learning, and what formats would work best for your schedule. Then use your social networks to find the information you want in the format you need. For instance, if you want to work on self-development while working out, doing household chores, or commuting, that’s a great time to listen to the podcasts you’ve discovered.

Whom do I want to learn from or with?

Many people learn best when they are part of a learning community. Social media can be a powerful tool for this because it allows its users to share ideas with each other, and it is a great way to engage in active learning, with a community of people who want to hear your ideas and insights in addition to sharing their own.

But how can you form form a learning community online? There are many ways. If you’re looking for a community of practice — a group of fellow professionals in your field, sharing the inside scoop or best practices with one another — you can find those communities on Facebook, LinkedIn or even Slack. To find a group that works for you, ask friends or colleagues whether they’re part of any learning or professional communities that could help you in a specific field or area of your working life.