It’s been said a million times and it’s been done even more times than that- the portrayal of oneself on social media is a direct reflection of their professional propensity, and for that reason, employers are avidly looking to social media as a prime recruiting tool.
Through the pictures posted, statuses made and information provided, employers are weeding out and recruiting new hire prospects. Some argue that social media is called ‘social’ media for a reason and should remain a platform to depict ones non-work personality. The bottom line, however, is that employers are looking and it is expected that the public knows it.
Take the warning seriously.
Google yourself. The excuse, ‘I didn’t know they would see it,’ no longer works. If you are serious about getting a job, you should prove that you are serious about yourself first. Take a few seconds and see what comes up on the Internet’s leading search engine. Oftentimes, Google does tell all.
Get LinkedIn. The thought of starting another social media account may seem superfluous, however the reality is that LinkedIn is not just another social networking site. LinkedIn is an indicator of one’s professional motivation and work ethic. If you put the effort in to properly market yourself as a worthy candidate, it will reflect the determination and energy you have as a potential employee.
Do some weeding out of your own. Just because your Facebook’s privacy settings are maxed out, does not mean you are in the clear. Evaluate who your Facebook friends and Twitter followers are, and how they are a direct reflection of you. They say, “You are what you eat,” but in the world of social media, “You are who the Internet represents you as.”