When sifting through applications and deciding which people to interview, most employers look at applicants’ social media profiles. It’s become a key element in our everyday lives today. What they find can work for or against a candidate.
Here are some things to think about when it comes to employer social media checks.
How Social Media Can Help You Get the Job
Many employers will look for applicants with a professional online presence, including information about their education and current and past employment that supports statements made in their resume.
Other things they may confirm on social sites is if you belong to a professional association, if you have published articles that are relevant to the position for which you applied, or if you have been praised or quoted by others. Those things could work in your favor. A prospective employer may also use search engines to look for articles about you and your accomplishments, references to volunteer work, and other indications of good character.
How Social Media Can Work Against You
Employers also check social media for any reason not to hire a candidate. Pictures or videos behaving in an immature, reckless or offensive way can work against an employee. Limit use of profanity or discriminatory language, or any comments referring to these types of behavior or to any type of criminal activity as they can get your application rejected. Any comments that indicate that the information included in your resume is false or misleading can also ruin your chance of securing a job.
Using social to reveal confidential information about a current or past employer could also be grounds for rejection of your candidacy.
Things that seem funny or trivial to you could even make an employer question your professionalism. For example, a silly, offensive, or immature screen name could cause an employer to think twice. A large number of posts during normal business hours could make a hiring manager conclude that you don’t take your current job seriously and would not be a reliable employee. Tread carefully.
How to Use Social Media
With all of these reasons that social media could cause you to miss out on a job opportunity, you might be tempted to delete your profiles altogether, but you shouldn’t. Many employers are reluctant to hire someone who isn’t active online at all.
Use your social media accounts to your advantage. Cultivate a professional image by including information about your work, accomplishments, and goals. Before you post any comments, pictures, or videos, ask yourself what a prospective employer might think. If you would be embarrassed to have your parents see something, it probably wouldn’t sit well with a hiring manager either.
Importance of Background Checks
In a competitive labor market, employers need to carefully screen candidates. In addition to checking social media, conducting thorough background checks can help companies identify applicants with criminal records and verify that all information included in a candidate’s resume is accurate.
If you are interested in hiring new employees and want to be assured you’re making a solid choice in an employee, contact DataCheck today. We can help you make informed decisions you’re confident in.