Are you active on social media and don't miss an opportunity to create an Instagram story with the latest of your adventures? You're not the only one! But have you ever thought, before posting a video or a photo, that whoever is about to hire you could see it?
Because what you post online can undermine your job search
That's right: during the search and selection process,many personnel managers do a check on the internetto find information about the candidates and establish whether or not to assign them the available position. If you are thinking then oflooking for a job, don't forget to make a smallcheck on your social profilesand to verify that there are no inappropriate photos, posts or videos.
The web is an immense world full of many contents. We realize this when we look for information on a hotel or a restaurant, when we don't remember the author of a book, the meaning or translation of a word, or when we have tofind data about the company where we are about to face an interview.
But then why shouldn't the opposite also happen? Selfyou are thinking about a new job opportunity, you must keep in mind that everything about you that can be traced online can be searched, found… and evaluated!
What are recruiters looking for in candidates' social profiles?
The search for a recruiter is carried out with the aim ofget to know the candidate better, in order to be able to evaluate whether his lifestyle can be in line with the company's role and philosophy. The recruiter therefore keeps in mind the values and mission of the company that opened the position as well as the characteristics of the profile sought (training, skills, soft skills, aptitude, etc.) and evaluates whether the data traceable online of the person in question can marry with the required requirements.
The search could then focus on, for example:
- on the photographs– What passions does the candidate have? What do you spend your free time on? Are inconvenient images available?
- get up– always better to avoid negative opinions, confidential information and any comments on previous employers. Of course, any vulgarity, racist statements or blatant demonstration of alcohol and drug use are a minus.
- on skills and training data– if you lied on your CV, but were honest on Facebook or LinkedIn, it will be a snap to unmask you! Magnifying one's skills and experience is never profitable and, indeed, can prove to be a real double-edged sword.
The most frequently analyzed profiles are those ofwho will have to fill management positions, such as managers and executives, but also those of therecent graduates– whose CV is often less rich in experience.
How to avoid losing a job opportunity?
If you are looking for work and are active in the online worldit's definitely worth spending a few hours reviewing the content posted on social media to make sure everything is in order. Remember toAlso check the photos you've been tagged inand to remove the tag if you think the content could be perceived as inappropriate.
If you don't have time to do a proper check, remember tocheck the privacy settings of your LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram profile. Come?
For Instagram it is very simple: it is enoughset the profile as private, so that only people you approve can see your content. To do this, simply enter the settings directly from the app and activate the "Private account" option.
Privacy and Facebook: who views your content?
Alsomanage the privacy of your Facebook profileit's easy. Please note that - by default - everyone can see your public information, which includes your name, profile picture, cover picture, gender, username, user ID (account number), and networks.
As for your information (date of birth, family, education, relationships, etc.) you can decide who will be able to view it using the toolaudience selectionnext to the single data.
This also applies to content you post to your timeline, as well as content posted by your friends. Thanks todiary checkyou can in fact approve or reject photos, posts and activities of the apps in which you are tagged before they become visible.
Job search and social networks: some data is an added value
If on the one hand it is proven that, in some cases, social networks can be fatal for the job search, it is equally true thatmany profiles-well maintained and properly updated-I can make a difference… in a positive way!
First of all, having a profile on LinkedIn that is constantly and in detail updated is often a plus. If you will be able to transmit your skills through this channel eyou will prove active by publishing content relevant to your sector and collecting positive links and references, then you've hit the mark! Not only that: getting to have a detailed page full of content also increases the chances that the recruiters themselves will be looking for you.
What about other social networks? To find a job it is not necessary to close all social profiles or stop sharing your interests, that's enoughdo it carefully. For example: if you participate in cultural events, if you love sports or travelling, if you are interested in music or cooking or if you express your passion for hobbies that enrich your person, you cannot butconvey a positive message.
Many of these activities can also confirm, for example, qualities such as: perseverance, determination, and ability to work as a team.
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FAQs
Is it ethical for employers to check social networks? ›
Ultimately, it's up to the employer to decide where to draw the line. They need to consider their business' needs and what they are hoping to achieve by monitoring their employees' social media activity. That said, they must be transparent with their employees about their social media policies.
Is it ethical to look at social media before hiring? ›You need to get written permission from candidates to conduct legal social media screening. Make sure not to use any sort of scraping, hacking, or any other unethical ways to access the social media accounts of candidates. Focus only on business-related information and not any personal information.
Is it a good idea for employers to access job candidates social network profiles? ›Screening job candidates' social media can land you in murky waters and isn't necessarily a way in which Facebook can be good for you. Social media screenings can result in employers learning candidate information they legally or ethically can't consider during the hiring process.
What are two things that a recruiter would view negatively on your social networks? ›Plus, recruiters are looking for red flags — risqué photos, bad language, signs of drugs use — that would show them you'd be a less than ideal man or woman to have in their offices.
What do employers not want to see on social media? ›Whether you are an employee or potential job candidate it is important to bear in mind that it is not good practice to share privileged inside information about the company on social media. This includes anything from company strategy, policy or even who is going to be laid off or promoted.
Should social media be monitored by employers? ›Some advocates say employers should be doing even more than they are now to monitor social media—they should keep an eye on workers' tweets and updates around the clock. Privacy proponents and worker advocates say it's unnecessary.