This week we partnered with StandOut Resumes to bring our candidates the company’s top tips for improving your social media presence before beginning a job search.聽听辞蹿蹿别谤蝉 , , and for clients across the US. Their expert writers have helped thousands of clients from nearly every industry and occupation take the next step in their careers. .
Why take the time to edit your online presence?聽
According to a聽,听70% of employers use social networking sites to research job candidates, and 57% found content that caused them not to hire candidates. Also, a聽聽(SHRM) found that 36% of companies have decided not to give people jobs because of what they discovered through online searches and social media.
What can I do to clean up my online presence?聽
Your social media accounts are an extension of who you are. Therefore, the content you post on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and other platforms could have serious repercussions on your professional life. Here are some important steps to take to clean up your online presence before conducting a job search:
1. Make a List of Your Accounts.聽
The first step is to make a list of all your accounts. This includes accounts such as Facebooks, Tumblr, Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Reddit.聽 If you have accounts that you do not use regularly, delete them to reduce the risks of identity theft and hacks.
2.聽Google yourself.聽
Google is where most recruiters and hiring officers start if they want to find out what you鈥檙e about.聽 Go through the search results and see if there鈥檚 anything you鈥檇 prefer an employer not find. This will give you a good idea of what needs to be changed and removed.
3. Update your profile pictures.聽
Update your profile pictures with a current, professional-looking image. Use the same one on all your social media accounts to cultivate personal brand recognition. Research shows that a proper profile photo presents you as competent, influential, and appealing to hiring managers.
4. Make Personal Accounts Private
Instagram: Go to 鈥淓dit Your Profile,鈥� and choose 鈥淧osts Are Private鈥� to hide your profile from peering eyes. Also, make sure to look through your tagged photos. If you are tagged in some not-so-pleasant photos by users who aren’t private, you risk an employer finding them. Luckily, you can remove yourself from the post by clicking the three dots in the top right corner of the post, selecting 鈥淧ost Options,鈥� and choosing between 鈥淩emove Me from Post鈥� or 鈥淗ide from My Profile.鈥�
Facebook: Navigate to the top right-hand corner of your profile and click the question mark symbol. Then, go to 鈥淧rivacy Check-Up.鈥� This will allow you to indicate who you want to be able to see your future posts, manage any connected apps (and delete any that aren鈥檛 necessary), and decide who can see what’s on your personal profile.
Twitter:聽Go to 鈥淪ettings鈥� and then 鈥淪ecurity and Privacy,鈥� and click 鈥淧rotect My Tweets.鈥� Your tweets will only go to followers now, and anyone wishing to follow you must get permission. Also, disabling the discoverability option will prevent anyone that has your email address or phone number from searching and finding your Twitter account.
No matter how strong your resume is, if an employer finds your online presence inappropriate or offensive, you could be jeopardizing your chances of getting an interview.
Remember: What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. But what happens on the internet can live FOREVER.
This article was first published at聽.