Spring is right around the corner, which means… it’s spring cleaning time! This is the perfect time to get a head start on cleaning up your social media for upcoming job interviews. Believe it or not, more and more companies today are looking at different social media platforms of potential employees. According to CareerBuilder, they found that in 2017 alone, 70% of companies used social media to screen potential candidates. If there is something your social media that your future bosses do not like, it can be at that moment where they end the job process for you. Therefore, having an appropriate social media is necessary if you are trying to move into adulthood. Down below are some tips and tricks you can use when you are trying to clean out your social media:
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Google Yourself!!!
Even if you are on private and accept only close friends, you would be surprised to see how much information is out there on Google. Check any social media platforms that have the same name as you. As well as, click images to see if there are any pictures of yourself on Google.
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Check Out Settings
Go on all your social media platforms and go over your privacy settings. This can get confusing especially on Facebook and Twitter, but you can manage who sees what for every post you make.
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Fix Up Your “About Me”
The amazing thing about the About Me feature on every social media app is that you can always update it. Depending where you are in life, what phase you are in, you can always change it to match. When it comes to getting a job, it is a good idea to clean up your about page. Let’s remove all the clubs you were in college and, let’s keep it simple and short. Keep only relevant and important information on there.
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If You Are Questioning The Post, Then Delete It
This is the most difficult and tricky part. The rule of thumb when it comes to any post on any social media is, if you are questioning it, delete the post! It is better to be safe than sorry. There is no need to take risk when you are starting off your professional career. According to Terry Rice, social media marketing expert, there are 3 P’s to stay away from: parties, politics, and profanity. It is okay to party but you do not want to post any party pictures in which you look out of control. Out of control pictures send a message to future employers that you cannot handle responsibility. Politics is always a gray area because you never know where your future company’s political stance are. The problem with profanity is that it will not put you in the best light. Future bosses will assume that you are not educated or that you will not fit into their work environment.
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Don’t Forget About Tagged Post
Tagged post/pictures are always underrepresented. However, they actually do the same or more damage than post/pictures you posted. Tagged post are usually out of your control. They are usually posted by other friends, who tend to tag you so at the end of the day you cannot control who post that picture. What you can control is who can see it. Go back to your settings and change the tagged setting so friends and family have to ask your permission to tag you in pictures.
References:
McAdams, Lauren. “How to ‘Clean up’ Your Social Media Presence before a Job-Search.” Ladders, 8 May 2018, www.theladders.com/career-advice/how-to-clean-up-your-social-media-prese….
Morgan, Hannah. “Quick Tips to Clean Up Your Social Media Profiles When Job Searching.” U.S. News & World Report, U.S. News & World Report, 18 Apr. 2018, money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/articles/2018-04-18/quick-tips-to-clean-up-your-social-media-profiles-when-job-searching.
Wong, Grace, and Erielle Reshef. ABC News, ABC News Network, 8 Mar. 2018, abcnews.go.com/GMA/Living/social-media-clean-job-hunters-services/story?id=53595529.