Think that prospective employers aren’t looking at your social media posts? Think again.
A recent study revealed that 70% of employers check job candidates’ social media as part of a background check. Do you know that anything you put on-line is in a public forum, so it pays to use your common sense when posting, and ensure that your public image is a positive one.
So what kind of on-line profile do you have? The first step to checking how you measure up is to google yourself. What does it reveal about you?
Bear in mind that 57% of employers will not even consider a candidate who has no on-line presence at all, so ensure you are at least on LinkedIn. A recent survey indicated that only 1 in 20 job seekers does not have any social networking profile. It can be worthwhile investing in a professional photo to accompany your profile, and make sure you have honed your opening pitch! Many employers and recruitment agencies also seek out candidates through sites such as LinkedIn, so if you’re an on-line ‘ghost’, you could be missing out on opportunities.
You can also set up your profile on job board sites such as Seek so that companies looking for a candidate with your skill set can find you. Seek offers some great tips on this on their website.
Ensure that the work history you outline on-line matches you’re the resume you are submitting with job applications. Be honest and explain any breaks in your employment. You may want to consider using a functional resume format if you’ve had a long break for parenting, or changing careers.
In terms of your social media, it might pay to keep your private profiles separate from your professional ones, eg. Facebook for private versus LinkedIn for professional. You will need to lock down your privacy settings on Facebook and regularly check them because Facebook makes changes from time to time that will alter the settings. There have been cases where employers have not short-listed candidates based on inappropriate social media tweets and posts, so if you wouldn’t be prepared to say it in public, don’t say it on-line! Some companies have even overlooked job applicants based on the volume of posts made when they indicated they were employed, fearing that the candidate would waste work time on social media.
Go back and delete any posts or photos you don’t feel comfortable with.
Instead, ensure that your public profile does include material that shows a genuine passion for your chosen field. Share articles and items of interest, and make intelligent, considered comments on industry trends. Make sure you post when you attend relevant events or courses. Even checking your spelling and grammar in posts can help to create a more professional image.
And of course, social media is a great way to connect with your network! Prospective employers may look at your LinkedIn connections to help in their assessment of you, so ensure you connect, connect, connect within your chosen field. It can take a bit of time and effort, but your own personal on-line brand is just another way of selling your skills and attributes. It can help prospective employers to get to know you, even before the interview starts. In turn, this can assist you in your search for an employer with a great fit for your work style and career goals