Did You Know that what you post on Social Media can have an impact on you not only today but in the future? It can effect your chances at getting into the right school, landing your dream job, getting promoted, or even keeping the job you have.
Your social media sites are increasingly being viewed by everyone from college admissions workers to employers and recruiters. What you have posted there is seen as a reflection of who you really are ~ above and beyond what is found on your application, resume, or even how you conduct yourself in the workplace. And especially problematic are the current prevalence of "keyboard warriors" who have no problem attacking others who disagree with their views, especially when it comes to hot topics like politics, religion, and even the COVID pandemic.
When people look at your social media, do you really know what they will see?
The current generation of graduates and those looking for their first “real” job have grown up on social media. Many joined social sites in their early teens and are now on multiple sites on a daily basis.They have memorialized their lives through pictures and posts on everything from what outfit they wore, what they ate, who they date, and the parties they have attended. Their timelines document everything.
But now, as they are getting older, things are changing. Social Media should now become an avenue for creating a more professional identity instead.
Employers and recruiters look. They “google” you. They check out your social profiles and your own posts, and even posts where you are “tagged”. While this may raise some privacy questions, it is not illegal to look. However, it is important to remember that asking you to supply your passwords to these accounts is. No recruiter or employer should ever ask for them ~ and you should always think twice before giving that kind of access to anyone, even friends!
Now new graduates and job seekers need to think about how their social profiles will look to potential employers and admissions officers.
How will Your Social Profiles Stand Up to Employers and Recruiters? “Tweet This”
Thinking of applying to college?
The impression you make on an admissions officer is not just based on your application or SAT scores. Instead, many are using social media as a way to get a better overall picture of you.They look for posts that highlight things not always found in applications ~ volunteer work or causes important to you. These types of things will put you in a more favorable light and increase your chances of acceptance.
However, negative posts will do just the opposite, and may even result in you being rejected.
How about when you try for your first job, dream job, or are vying for that promotion?
Posts that show illegal, questionable, or even violent behavior may cause you to be passed over. Comments that attack, degrade, or threaten others put your character, and the possibility of that you may impact the company's image, in question. And if any of your posts or profiles contradict what you may have listed on your resume, this is certainly a “red flag” when it comes time to make you an offer.
Before you apply to college or for any job,
you need to ask yourself some hard questions about your social profiles. In fact, they would be excellent questions to consider before you even post!
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| Created by Kimberly Kline, API |
You should Ask Yourself ~
- What do your Social Profiles say about You?
- Do they show you in a good light?
- Have you shared things you are not proud of?
- Do they highlight the best things about you?
- Would You be Proud to Share Them?
You should consider:
- Removing pictures and posts that no longer reflect who you are now
- Creating posts that support the things you want to highlight
If a post shows illegal behavior ~ delete it. Did you post a long rant against a former employer? Or how about a questionable picture
from a party or vacation? Remove these too. While things that you have posted online may never be able to be truly erased, deleting them from your timeline or profile simply makes sense. And next time, before you hit "send"on that comment or post, take a minute. It may give you just the time you need to clear your head and decide whether it is really worth sharing after all.
This does not mean your profiles should look generic or should be so white washed as to be devoid of all personality.
But what it does mean is that what you have posted in the past should not derail you from your current goals or put your hard earned job in jeopardy.
That is why we advocate doing a “background check” on yourself before you even think of applying for college, a job, or even a promotion. Knowing in advance what they will find gives you the opportunity to change what you can and be ready to explain what you cannot. Find out how in “Why You Should Run a Background Check on Yourself”!
While it is certainly important to take a fresh look at your social media profiles and posts, this is reactive, not proactive. That is why being educated about Social Media makes sense, and it should begin long before you are ready to go to college or get a job. It needs to be taught both at home and especially in our schools.
Emphasis should be placed on understanding the implications of what you post, recognizing what those posts say about you, and how best to use social media to your advantage.
It can’t only be about cleaning up what you have already shared, it needs to be about being savvy about what you post in the first place! Rejecting those unflattering party pics and instead choosing posts that highlight what you truly care about, “your best you”, is key.
“Since you know that your social media posts and profiles will most likely be seen as part of the hiring (and college admission) process, why not use that to your advantage?
When setting up your profile, make sure you present yourself in a good light. Highlight your education, professional accomplishments, charity work, and volunteer activities. Creating a page that shows you are an interesting and accomplished individual can help.
It is not all about bragging or showing off. Employers (and college recruiters) like well-rounded people. If your posts and profiles reveal a person who likes to be involved, stays active in your community, and is generally interested and interesting, you will stand out beyond your resume.” excerpt from “Social Media Background Checks ~ The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, Part 1”!
And for more tips on getting hired, check out “Attention New Grads ~ What You Need to Do to Land Your First Job”!
While changing attitudes about social media may eventually make this kind of “cleansing” of past posts unnecessary, we are not there yet.
In the meantime, it is crucial to be more aware of what you post and how it can be used for or against you. Approaching social media in an intelligent and thoughtful manner needs to begin with frank discussions long before it could effect your career.
Please help spread the word and share this on your favorite social sites! Thanks! And be sure to Contact Us for help in finding out what is “out there” about you!
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