Having a professional social media presence can make or break your chances of getting a job, but there are some things you should keep in mind before you make your first tweet or post on Facebook. Here are some tips to keep in mind to ensure you maintain a clean, professional social media presence while retaining your online personality.
Draw a line between professional and personal personas
Getting a job is a lot easier when you are able to draw a line between your personal and professional personas. This is because employers will want to get a complete picture of what you’ve been doing and what you’ve achieved. You’ll want to show them that you’re knowledgeable about the industry you’re applying to and that you’re able to work as a team. It’s also a good idea to make sure that you’re active on Twitter and that you’re listening to others.
If you’re on Twitter, be sure to follow leaders in your field. You can do this by using @mention. You’ll also want to make sure that you’re retweeting stories that are relevant to your industry. You can also use your personal Twitter bio to highlight your expertise in your field.
It’s also a good idea to follow brands and to make sure that you’re actively engaged with them. This will help you to be a good influencer and can help to make your impact more powerful. You’ll also want to make sure you’re able to report harassment on Twitter.
At the same time, as you build your professional online persona, you should also be sure that your personal persona is in check. Be sure to delete any posts that may be inappropriate for your job search, and make sure that you’re not writing anything online that could come back to haunt you during the job application process.
It’s also important to consider how your current or former colleagues might view your social media presence. It’s a good idea to keep it professional and to avoid posting anything that could be interpreted as a personal attack.
Lock down your social media profiles to ensure there are no red flags
Having a clean and professional online presence is very important for your job search. One negative impression on social media can ruin your chances of landing a new job. Here are some tips to help you lock down your social media profiles and keep your online reputation clean and professional.
Check your online accounts regularly. If you find a post that is inappropriate, remove it. You should also change your account’s privacy settings so that no one can see it. Also, make sure that you don’t share sensitive information or photos.
You can also use social media apps to show your personality and work ethic. Employers will notice that you are actively engaged in your field. Having a professional Instagram account can show your brand and show you have followers. It is also a good place to showcase your current work experience.
Check your personal blogs and websites. These can also give potential employers a sense of your personality. You may also want to set up Google alerts so that you will be notified of any negative information that may pop up.
Do employers check your social media
According to a study conducted by CareerBuilder, 70% of employers use social media to research candidates. It’s hard to hide from them, as a simple free people search will often reveal a lot about your social media profiles.
This doesn’t mean that you have to hide who you are or delete all of your old posts. However, you should be aware of what you’re sharing online and make sure that it doesn’t reflect badly on you. You may also want to consider locking down your social media profiles so that no one can see them.
It’s also important to note that employers aren’t just looking at your social media presence. They’re also looking at how you interact with others online. Do you respond to comments in an appropriate manner? Are you professional and polite when interacting with people on Twitter?
Remember, having a clean and professional online presence is important for your job search. It’s best to take the time to review your social media profiles and make sure that they are up-to-date and reflect positively on you. With a few simple steps, you can ensure that your online presence won’t ruin your chances of getting a job.
