How Social Media Can Affect Your Job Search
While it may be fun to post the photos from your latest wild weekend on your social media page, it may not be much fun if a potential employer finds these photos and denies you your dream position. Many people use social media to share updates, photos and highlights, but few people understand how these accounts can be used against you by potential employers.
How Social Media Can Help Your Job Search
Most employers turn to social media to source and research potential candidates, making it a useful tool in a job search. Sites like LinkedIn, Google+ and Facebook make it easy for employers to share information about open positions and for candidates to apply to openings. These sites allow for ease of networking, sharing of portfolios and the real time exchange of helpful career-related information.
Social Media Can Doom Your Job Search
The use of social media in the job search is a double-edged sword. While it can be helpful for sharing your professional credentials, it can also sink you if there are unprofessional photos or posts online. Conducting a search of your own name will give you a good idea of what employers will find if they search for your name online. All too often, old photo albums showing candidates in compromising positions, profanity-laced tweets and controversial discussions can lead to being passed over for a position.
Avoid discussing politics, religion or any other charged topics on your social media sites in order to steer clear of the watchful eye of employers. If your ideologies don't mesh with that of the company, your potential employer may decide to go with another candidate. One candidate, who was applying for a position with a non-profit was rejected for a position due to his stance on a popular human rights issue. While you certainly have the right to express your opinions, your potential employer has the right not to hire you based on these opinions.
How You Can Make Social Media Work for You
If there are damaging posts or photos about you online, you can mitigate these things by taking stock of what is available and cleaning it up. Change the privacy settings on your social media sites so that employers only see what you want them to see. Consider hiring a company to clean up your reputation online if necessary.
When it comes to social media, it can make or break your career. Use it wisely.
Jonah Engler is a finance expert who resides in NYC.