Love it or loathe it, social media has become an intrinsic part of our daily lives and transformed how we communicate with each other, and it has also changed the world of recruitment and talent acquisition.
Social media searches can provide employers with a deeper insight into a candidate they may not get from a CV or interview. Employers want candidates with a good attitude and values aligned to those of their business. If your online social presence is inappropriate or offensive, you could risk your chance of landing a role or even being shortlisted for an interview.
To help avoid the common pitfalls of social media, we’ve put together some advice to help you organise your accounts to avoid missing out on opportunities.
A good place to start is carrying out a self-screening process. Google yourself in Incognito mode so your browsing history doesn’t affect your search results. Then review the posts you get for your own social media profiles, and if any inappropriate posts or photos pop up, you should remove them or go to your privacy settings on that platform and amend them accordingly.
Next, we suggest utilising social media platforms such as LinkedIn. LinkedIn is a unique professional network that can help you find new job opportunities, attain professional relationships, and learn the skills you need to succeed in your career. Your LinkedIn profile is like an online CV; you can list your skills, experience, and qualifications.
In addition, you can connect with people in your industry, receive recommendations from colleagues, and find job opportunities on job boards or through networking. Like other social networking sites, you can create and share posts, share content and instant message other users.
Other social media platforms are usually more personal or casual than LinkedIn. You’re more likely to post personal news, jokes, photos, and musings on current events on these sites. Private content can give potential employers a more well-rounded view of you, where you display qualities you might not mention on a CV. Employers want to get to know the person they’re considering hiring. They want people they will enjoy working with; you don’t need to be a hyper-professional robot. If you have hobbies, passions or achievements, don’t be afraid to share them. Connecting and engaging with other people is what social media was original intended for!
No matter the platform, it would be best to avoid bad-mouthing current or former colleagues or employers online. Potential employers would be wary of someone who publicly vents their frustrations online. Foul language, vulgar remarks and insults on public domains are also massive red flags for employers. You shouldn’t be fearful of posting online but be aware of who has access to the content you’re posting and your online presence. If you have to think twice about whether to post something, you probably shouldn’t post it.
If you’re looking for a new role, need help with your CV or want any other support regarding employment, get in touch with our team by calling 028 95 219 313 or emailing us at info@bluestones-staffing.co.uk.
