Job seekers have been conditioned that any glimpse into their personal lives during a job search is a slip-up. Changing Facebook names and deleting Instagram accounts has become the norm, and if you can find a picture of you with a Solo cup in hand after a Google search — you’re totally done for.
However, WayUp talks to thousands of employers a day, and while up to 80% of employers are Googling their applicants, it’s not for the reason you think. Employers want to find something that sheds light on who you are as a person, beyond your resume. So give them that something. To solve this problem on behalf of our users, we created unique student profiles that act as your online resume that can be the first thing employers find when they Google the applicant. It’s a great way for students and recent grads to put their professional foot forward, digitally.
These days, our online profiles are considered an extension of ourselves, our interests and even our compatibility with others. So, why hide them? You should be using your online presence to your advantage.
Given that some of you are about to graduate (congrats, Class of ‘16!!!), here are three ways that job seekers can use their online presence to get hired.
1. Google yourself.
Sometimes this step is so easy, people forget to do it altogether. What’s the best way to see what comes up for a potential employer? Try it yourself! You might be surprised with the results. Social media accounts are constantly changing their privacy settings, so you should continuously check what pops up when your name is searched.
We tested this recently. We found a co-worker’s Vine account with some pretty embarrassing video footage that she had absolutely no clue was public on the internet (it was the third link on the page!). With a one-minute Google search, we were able to point it out to her, so that she could adjust the privacy settings and lock down her account.
2. If you’ve got it, flaunt it.
Social media accounts have gotten a bad rap because they can be incriminating. However, if you run a highly curated account that accurately depict your interests and skill sets, you should use it to your advantage. If you’re interested in design — any type of Tumblr, Instagram or portfolio website can be a great supplement to your resume. If you’re interested in politics, finance or an industry that requires you to be up to date on current events, then use your Twitter and other social platforms to demonstrate that you’re knowledgeable and that you have an opinion to voice.
Pro tip: these accounts should be fun, but if you are on the job-search, they should also be the best representation of yourself! Take a few minutes to do a clean sweep for typos and small mistakes.
3. Perfect your professional profile.
Don’t want to express yourself through social media? You don’t have to. You can curate a professional profile that captures your personality much more than a resume will. This is especially important if you are a recent grad or current college student who may have limited work experience.
An online profile like this will give a 360-degree vision of who you are as a potential employee. Highlighting your hobbies, your skill set, a fun fact and a picture is a great way to let employers know what you can bring to the table.
The Chronicle of Higher Education and American Public Media’s Marketplace conducted a study amongst employers looking to hire recent grads. They stated that internships and work experience in college were the top two most important factors. However, volunteer experience and extracurriculars were next in the decision-making process, ranking far ahead of GPA and university.
Employers constantly use the search feature to sift through the profiles of awesome students like you, so filling out a comprehensive online profile will not only make you more attractive to employers, it will also help them to find you.
P.S. Ready to get going on your profile? Start here.
