What is your future employer learning when they check your social media profile?
Nine out of 10 hiring managers are looking at your profiles before making a hiring decision, according to Jobvite’s annual Social Recruit Survey (2014). More than half of those surveyed said they’ve reconsidered hiring a candidate based on what they found online.
Your online presence should reassure a prospective employer that your qualifications and suitability are top quality as a prospective employee – not raise red flags. Note the following topics that may impact your chances of being hired:
- Illegal drugs
- Sexual activity
- Guns
- Alcohol use
- Spelling / grammar of your posts
- Profanity
- Political affiliation
- Comments about your company / boss / team members
Prospective employers will make judgments about you based on what they discover about you online. You want to come across as committed, competent, skilled, and of strong character and integrity. You can manage the impression others have about you through your online presence. However, it is important that your online professional image is also authentic and credible. Check out the following techniques to help you create a positive presence.Assess Your Presence
There are dozens of examples of candidates who have been dropped from consideration because they complained about their job on their social media accounts, made fun of their boss or team online, posted while they were supposed to be working, or even revealed company secrets.
The first step is to see what’s out there already. Monitoring your online presence is easy if you know which tools to use. Many of these are free.
Start by Googling yourself. On the Google homepage (www.google.com), type in your name. You will want to note how many search results are returned, but you will primarily be looking at the first 2-3 pages of search results.
There are also services available that will help you improve your Google Search results. (Some of them are free.)
One of these is BrandYourself.com. The website offers a do-it-yourself (free) version that will allow you to manage selected information in your Google search results by analyzing your existing profiles and website links and giving you recommendations to improve the positioning of profiles you want to rank higher in the search results. If you like the results you’re getting from the free version, BrandYourself also offers additional paid services to improve your search results even further.
Boost Positive Results
One of the best ways to create a positively branded experience for yourself is with a robust LinkedIn profile. Not only do strong LinkedIn profiles show up prominently in a Google search results, but many employers expect candidates to have a LinkedIn profile.
Make sure your LinkedIn profile is “complete.” This means you need these items in your LinkedIn profile:
- Your industry and location
- An up-to-date current position (with a description)
- Two past positions
- Your education
- At least three skills
- A profile photo
- At least 50 connections
Also, ensure that your LinkedIn profile aligns with your résumé. Many recruiting managers and hiring managers will compare the two.
Posting content on these sites will also show up prominently in search results:
- YouTube
- Google+
- About.me
- Reviews you post on Amazon.com
Scrubbing Your Digital Dirt
Negative information about you online is referred to as “digital dirt.” Like its physical counterpart, it can be messy and difficult to get rid of. However, one effective strategy for managing your online reputation is to “bury” your digital dirt.
There are two steps to managing your online presence:
1. Removal and/or correction of incorrect or inappropriate information
2. Posting new content
This will move the unfavorable information lower in your search results, effectively “burying” the dirt.
Post content related to your profession or career on your Facebook page, and make those posts public. Share content you find in industry publications, traditional media, and blogs. Comment thoughtfully on the content. Post inspirational quotes from business leaders and relevant facts, figures, and infographics.
Keep in mind, however, the “Golden Rule” of posting any information online: If you don’t want your mom (or grandmother, or sister) to see it, don’t post it. Anyone who has access to your private profile can take a screen shot and post it publicly.
Most important, the need for ongoing online reputation management is vital. Continue to monitor your online presence, even when you’re not in active job search mode.
