Going into a job interview with an unprofessional social media presence is just as bad as going in with an unprofessional appearance.
Going into a job interview with an unprofessional social media presence is just as bad as going in with an unprofessional appearance.
As social media becomes a larger factor in our lives, it also becomes important in the hiring process. Many companies today are on social media themselves and want to see that applicants are too. Beyond just having accounts, employers want to see that potential hires are professional, intelligent and fit the environment that they have created within their company. They are not looking for pictures of red solo cups and possibly incriminating posts. Studies have also shown that employers view bad grammar in posts worse than posts related to drinking. Regardless of the positive response from friends on posts of this nature, an employer will see them in a negative light. When a business hires an individual, they want to make the best investment possible.
In 2012, 92 percent of employers interviewed were using or planning to use social media during the hiring process. The most referenced site is LinkedIn, a more business based social site. Chances are, if someone has an account with this site, it is more professional than not, but it is important to update it every so often to ensure the most current information is available. Employers want to see work experience, education, community service and even hobbies. They can also see who a person is connected with and contacts and references are key.
Aside from professional social media accounts, employers will also view more personal sites such as Facebook and Twitter, regardless of whether or not that information was provided. This is where it is more important for every age group to create a brand for themselves that is refined. Deleting old accounts that are not in use and cleaning up the ones that are current will portray a better image. Whether that means starting from scratch or going through and deleting questionable pictures and posts, it is necessary. Do not post or leave anything that you would not want your potential boss to see. It is also vital to maintain a good presence after being hired.
Besides having a good presence on social media, it is important to have one at all. If an employer cannot find an account, or they find one that is set on private, they assume you have reason to hide. When hiring, it comes down to finding someone who is the best fit. Do not be eliminated by not being existent in the social media world. There are plenty of fish in the pool of applicants, cleaning up social media sites helps to be the best choice.
