Is what you post on social media going to matter to a potential employer? Is there a chance an employer will take a look online before they make a hiring decision? While not every employer will go through your social media during the hiring process, the answer to both questions could be “yes.”
It’s important to remember that your social media pages represent you, and if a potential employer or recruiter chooses to look, it may affect their decision to hire you. This doesn’t mean that you can only post work-related content to your social media pages, but keeping a professional, appropriate social media presence is in your best interest. Here are some tips to keep your social media professional:
Have a Professional-Looking Profile Picture
When people search your name on the internet, it’s possible that your profile pictures from various social media platforms will appear in the search results. Even if your page is private or hidden on some platforms, it’s still possible for the profile picture to appear. You don’t need to have a professional photographer take the photo but choose pictures that are professional looking with a full view of your face. Dress appropriately to show yourself in the best light. A good question to ask yourself before posting is, “Would I want my future boss to see this picture?” Make it a favorable one!
Interact & Engage Professionally
It is tempting to comment harshly on posts that make you angry or upset. If you see a post that you strongly disagree with on a controversial topic, pause before you post. Be careful with responding emotionally to something that you see online, because your response can be captured and shared. An inappropriate response with harsh language can negatively affect your professional reputation. Also, when you comment and share online, don’t forget to thoughtfully engage in topics that are in your industry, especially on professional sites such as LinkedIn. This shows that you’re active in your field and can engage in professional conversations anywhere online.
Don’t Complain About Former Employers
When you leave a job, you may be tempted to vent and post the jokes you’ve stored up about your previous boss or company. Imagine that a hiring manager reviews your social media and sees what you’ve posted. This could make a potential new boss concerned that if problems arise, they’ll be the target of your venting in the future. Social media is a public forum and isn’t the place to insult colleagues or companies.
Keep Profiles Current
Some social media profiles, such as LinkedIn, are more focused on work experience, education and sharing work accomplishments. Keep these profiles up to date. If you have a new position, share that on your page. If you earned a new certificate, completed a course or won an award that is relevant to your career, post those as well. Consider sharing these timely updates on all your social media pages, not just LinkedIn. This shows that you are consistently professional across all platforms, which is great for hiring managers to see.
Share Your Network Activities
Social media is not just designed to share your social activities, like vacations or nights out with friends. You can also share some of your networking activities as well. If you have attended any industry chamber events, career fairs or meetings with mentors, share those on your social media pages. Post your volunteer activities in the community and include what you learned about the host organization. These posts can show that you have a good work-life balance and that you are active in your community.
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