SOCIAL MEDIA MISTAKES

Our online presence can make or break career opportunities. Being mindful of what you share online and put your name behind is imperative to ensure your digital footprint is employer friendly

In the digital age, posting on social media without thinking about what this will showcase to employers isn’t an option. It’s not uncommon for an employer to conduct their own background checks, all with the click of a mouse.

Social media is more powerful than ever, so ensuring your digital presence is employer friendly is essential.

GO PRIVATE

Give yourself a Google, you might be surprised what appears. Take a moment to see what public information is available on your social media channels; simply set all content to friends only and log out to view your public page. Personal photos should be private.

SKILLS SUCCESS

You don’t have to be completely employment centred on your social media channels, take the time to share your achievements online. If you have recently started volunteering, fundraised for a charity that is close to your heart, or achieved a goal you were working towards – this could include being proactive and completing an online course – use your social media to shout about your achievements. This could aid you in the workplace or be valuable to an employer. Prospective employers will see your work and you will look more desirable.

ENGAGE

Having passions and interests for the work or industry you are employed in is fantastic. Interacting with people or organisations pertinent to your sector, or sharing articles and positive comments about your industry or field will go a long way in highlighting your interest and involvement in the sector. You don’t need to saturate your social feeds with these posts, even joining a local interest group about the industry is a good start. Employers want you to have a work life balance, but still be excited about what you do when you are in the workplace.

POSITIVE ATTITUDE

Social media is a great way to stay connected with friends, family and get their support, especially if you have had a bad day, but be aware of the negative messages you promote online. Sharing a status or posting a comment that paints your employer in a bad light will get back to them, even if your account is private. Remember, private accounts can still have posts screenshotted and shared with someone connected to your employer. If in doubt, don’t post.

Social media is more powerful than ever, so ensuring your digital presence is employer friendly is essential