Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube…
There are numerous social media platforms where we can establish a presence.
While it may be fun to post pictures of your vacation and your opinions about current events,
Job Seekers, BEWARE!
When an employer receives your resume or application, many of them will Google your name to see what else they can learn about you.
If you’re present on social media, that may be a good thing, or it may be a very bad thing.
If you’re routinely complaining about other people, posting frequent pictures with your red Solo cup, or lamenting about how much you hate your job, that’s a guaranteed strike against you.
Here’s what you need to do to protect yourself and your reputation:
Check your online presence. Type your name into Google and two other search engines. What type of information is out there? Which of your social media accounts appeared in the search results?
Nix the negative. Delete anything that may be perceived as inappropriate. This includes bikini pics, posts about drinking or drug use, explicit language and profanities, and posts about controversial subjects. If you’re not sure, delete it anyway. If you were tagged in someone else’s post, you will need to ask them to un-tag you or delete their post. Keep in mind that even your “deleted” posts may still haunt you, as anyone may have taken a screenshot of your post.
Check your privacy settings. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is set to public. On the other hand, your personal social media accounts, such as Facebook and Instagram, should be set to private. Periodically check to ensure your privacy settings haven’t been changed during a FB or IG update.
Moving forward, THINK BEFORE YOU POST. Your reputation and personal brand are at stake. Don’t give an employer any reason to place your resume or application in the “No” pile.
Shelley Maley, PHR, CCSP | Dreamcatcher Career Coaching, LLC | (610) 663-0585