For most people, social media is a means for entertainment, keeping in touch with family and friends, sharing photos and videos, and following businesses and people of interest to you.
Did you know that your social media accounts could work against you in your job search?
It’s true. Many employers today are checking the social media accounts of job applicants.
This means they are checking to see what you follow, like, comment on, post, and share on major platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Linkedin. They’re also checking the photos that you post or that others post with you in them.
Employers are usually trying to get a sense of who you are as a person and how you might fit into their organization and team. They are also looking for any red flags that may indicate you are not a great fit for the position.
Any content that could be considered controversial might be considered to be a red flag. Common controversial topics include politics, religion, drugs, alcohol, and sexually explicit material. Aggressive and offensive commentary can also be red flags.
This is not limited to your own social media activity. If other people are posting controversial content and comments to your profiles, that can also reflect poorly on you.
Here are three tips for making sure your social media is not working against you.
- Make your profiles private. Check your privacy settings. Make your profile as private as possible. This way, strangers will have less of a chance to see what you’ve posted.
- Remove controversy. Go back and delete old posts, photos, and comments that you wouldn’t want to be seen by a potential employer. If you do not want to completely delete certain items, you might be able to change the privacy setting so you are the only person who can see them.
- Change your perspective. Imagine you are an employer searching for a new employee to represent your company. Ask yourself what you would think of your social media presence.
Even if you are not actively seeking new employment, it is still good practice to keep your social media profiles work friendly.
Need a little help deciding if you need to clean up your profiles? Schedule an appointment with our Employment and Technology Specialist for advice.