As social media becomes integral to our daily communication there is a growing importance to maintaining a positive online reputation. Whether on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or any other platform, your social media profiles help recruiters get to know you beyond your application. However, there is some content recruiters do not want to see on a potential employee’s social media accounts. CNN reported on a survey that showed 70 percent of business managers in the United States decided not to hire a job candidate based upon something they found out about the candidate online. Don’t be part of that 70 percent. Follow these tips to ensure you’re not making crucial social media mistakes that can hurt or cost your chances of being hired. Do Not Post Inappropriate Photos or Videos New York Times bestselling author Dan Schawbel once said “Your first impression isn’t made with a firm handshake-it’s with a Google search.” A CareerBuilder.com survey ranked ‘candidate posted provocative or inappropriate photographs’ as a top reason that recruiters ruled out potential employees early in the hiring process. When a recruiter searches your first and last name on any social network, they shouldn’t see you doing anything offensive or inappropriate. If you think any photo or video is questionable, it is better to avoid posting it altogether. Stay Away From Posting Political Tirades 51 percent of recruiters polled in Jobvite’s 2017 Recruiter Nation Report see political rants as a red flag during the social sleuthing process. Recruiters tend to prefer potential candidates stay out of controversial political discussions on their social media pages, especially if these posts include derogatory language. Save the political debates for in person, not online. You Don’t Have an Online Presence In today’s world it’s seen as suspicious if you’re not active on any social media platforms at all. To many recruiters a candidate without an online presence can seem out of touch and unable to use necessary technology to its fullest potential. Or the job seeker might be viewed as having something negative about their past to hide. Have an updated profile with content you can proudly display. Not Knowing Your Company's Social Media Policy Once you’re hired it’s important to know and abide by your company’s social media policy. While not all companies currently have them, social networking regulations outline how an organization wants its employees to conduct themselves online. Failure to abide by these rules can result in disciplinary actions by management. Before you post, research your specific company’s policy to make sure you aren’t breaking any regulations already in place. Keep Some News Private at First While it can be tempting to share your personal successes and important announcements to your friends and followers on social media right away, it is best to wait until things are fully solidified. Keep in mind that many job offerings are confidential and posting them right away may lead employers to think you are untrustworthy or unprofessional. For example, 22-year old Connor Riley was offered a job at Cisco and immediately tweeted “Cisco just offered me a job! Now I have to weigh the utility of a fat paycheck against the daily commute to San Jose and hating the work.” As you can imagine, Riley’s job offer was rescinded before she was able to make a decision on whether or not to accept it. Companies now use the story as a precautionary tale to all potential and current employees; be careful what, and when, you post on social media. Ensure your profiles are free of the above mistakes and instead, try to shed a positive light on yourself through your online presence. In Jobvite’s report recruiters ranked examples of written or design work (65 percent) and engagement in volunteering, mentoring, or non-profits (63 percent) as the top two reasons they decided to move forward with a candidate after an initial online search. Reflect the most favorable version of yourself online and your prospects at landing your dream full-time job or internship will greatly increase.
All social media outlets have privacy options available, so it is important to familiarize yourself with them. Privacy settings allow you to control the content people within and outside of your network will be able to view on your profile. The privacy options among social channels vary, so make sure to use good judgment when updating and adjusting them. While using social media can be a fun way to unleash your creativity, connect with your friends, and build your professional network, it’s important to keep in mind who might view your profile in the future. If used correctly, social media can be a very effective tool during your job search. If used carelessly, however, your job prospects can be at risk.
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