The Importance of Maintaining Professional Social Media Accounts

You’re starting your search for an internship or job. Everything seems to be in order – you have relevant experience in the field, you have volunteered your time at an organization that you are passionate about, and you have performed well in your undergraduate coursework. You have applied for a variety of positions, but none of them seem to be considering you for their company. There are many things that could be causing the employers’ aversion to you as a candidate for their company, but one of them that is often overlooked is your social media accounts.

With Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, among other social media platforms, becoming increasingly popular among teens and young adults, employers are more inclined to take these into account when evaluating a potential employee’s resume. Not only does an applicant’s social media account tell the employers a bit about their personality and outlook, it also gives them an idea of how they carry themselves and how professional they will act in the workplace.

Take three candidates’ Facebook profiles for example: Candidate A has pictures on his profile containing alcohol, status updates using vulgar language, and exudes an overall unprofessional vibe. Candidate B does not have any inappropriate pictures or language on her profile, but her status updates and posts on her Facebook wall are often complaint-oriented or pessimistic. Candidate C has pictures of her travelling with her family or having fun with her friends, status updates that are positive and upbeat, and a generally happy and optimistic profile. Which of these candidates would you choose?

The gist of the situation is that employers may not only look for inappropriate pictures or posts, but they might also use your social media platforms as a means to determine your outlook on life, your attitude, or your general demeanor, all of which are going to play an important part in your employment at their company. It is important to keep tabs on how you portray yourself on your social media accounts. They may play a very important role in your professional future, and it is important to make sure that every aspect of your resume and application are the best that they can be.