Social media is revolutionizing the professional world and is no longer just a source of entertainment and communication. Because it has become a tool for employers to find out more about their potential employees, it’s important to remember that having a professional online presence is a must.
Wondering if your profiles leave a good impression on employers? Check out the top mistakes to avoid making on social media below.
1. Publishing posts with excessive profanity or vulgar terms.
More and more, companies are interpreting social media as an indication of your character and if you’re cursing or using offensive language, you’re probably sending the wrong message. Hiring managers and recruiters will think that you will use that same language when communicating with other employees, clients, etc… and will most likely refrain from hiring someone who could cause a problem with customers later on.
2. Posting pictures with drugs or alcohol.
While most people enjoy a good party, branding yourself in this light is a big turnoff to employers. A company cannot afford to have its reputation tarnished through association with illegal and illicit activities, so hiring managers will usually write you off automatically. Employers will also begin to question how you will act at work and might even view you as irresponsible or careless and most importantly, they won’t take you seriously as a candidate.
3. Presenting yourself as a negative, pessimistic individual.
Employers are searching for candidates who will bring positivity, initiative, and motivation to a position, and if you’re constantly complaining on your social media profiles, they will assume that you will bring that draining energy and negativity into the workplace. In addition to having a negative attitude, be careful about what you say on social media about jobs and internships in general and especially about certain companies. You don’t want to insult a potential interviewer before you even walk through the door.
4. Sharing too much of your personal life.
When you are hired at a company, the individuals who will work alongside you need to be able to trust you with confidential information. If you document too much on social media, many managers and recruiters will assume that you will share details of the company and will therefore be hesitant to relay information to you. Trust is a major part of any job or internship, and if your manager distrusts you off the bat, it will be much more difficult to earn that trust back.
5. Lacking an ‘about you’ section.
Although having a full-length resume isn’t necessary, because employers are using your social media profiles to learn a little more about you, it’s beneficial to include some of your interests, hobbies, past and current experience, and your accomplishments in your profiles. If you created a video for a class or if a journalist wrote an article about you for winning an award, it’s worth sharing. These tidbits of your background will showcase your talents and will help an employer determine if you’re a good fit for the company.
As you peruse your social media profiles, always remember that whatever you put online never goes away, so make sure that you represent yourself well. You want to give yourself your best shot at getting an interview and receiving an offer, so cleaning up your social media could be the first step to landing your dream position.
