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Did you know that a staggering 70% of employers turn to social media to screen potential hires before sealing the deal? Your future boss might be scrolling through your posts, checking your dance moves at your cousin's wedding, or that infamous karaoke night. 🎤🕺 🔹 According to a 2018 survey by CareerBuilder, 57% of employers have found content on social media that caused them NOT to hire a candidate. 🔹 The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) highlights that employers are increasingly looking for cultural fit, and social media helps them gauge a candidate's alignment with company values. 🔹 85% of recruiters say a positive online reputation significantly influences hiring decisions. Cross-Tab Marketing survey commissioned by Microsoft. 🔑 So, how can you ensure your digital brand shines bright? 1️⃣ **Polish Your Profile**: Make sure your LinkedIn, Twitter, and other profiles are up-to-date, professional, and reflect your skills and experience. 2️⃣ **Content is King**: Share your expertise by posting insightful content related to your field. Share articles, tips, and engage in conversations. Show that you're passionate and knowledgeable about your industry. 3️⃣ **Reputation Matters**: Be mindful of what you post and comment on. All posts and comments on LinkedIn are visible. Negative or controversial rants can raise eyebrows. Showcase your professionalism and respect for diverse perspectives. #SocialMediaScreening #DigitalFootprint #ProfessionalBranding #LinkedInTips
Reputation matters, especially on LinkedIn. You want to make your profile visible, at least here. You can control how people view your profile on other platforms, so you may want to keep your personal life private to those who know you. It's hard to say this, but people are watching you. I don't believe hiring decisions should be made based on your personal life, but the truth is... It's human nature to hire those that hiring managers believe would add and integrate well with the team.
We used to rent our cottage and screen potential renters this way. That was 20+ years ago! We didn't want to rent our place to "partyanimal[@]hotmail[.]com" or anyone whose FB pages looked like a frat party. The same is true when it comes to hiring. Companies are hiring people who will best represent their brand. Does this mean the end of the party animal? No, have fun, get out there, and do all the dancing you want - just be mindful of where you share it. (Hint: You can change your privacy settings to control who sees what on most of your social media feeds, including this one). 😉
70% seems rather low, so I suspect some employers are reluctant to admit their practice of pre-screening candidates via social media. I've seen other surveys that indicate MOST recruiters pre-screen candidates, so job seekers need to be aware that this is a common practice. 🌸
I will never forget the time I worked on an HR Assistant search for a NYC private equity client. I presented my first top batch of 3 resumes for consideration and within 30 minutes the HR Director emailed me back saying: "David, we're going to pass on Becky, thanks." She'd included a URL to a Facebook page that I followed, and in all her glory, there stood Becky and her bestie, action-posing with AR-15s in hand with the slogan, "FUN WITH GUNS!" I started googling my candidates from that point on.
People are looking. Why not control what they see (by aligning your posts and engagement to your brand) or don't see (by making some of your socials private)?
Whatever you don't feel comfortable with the whole world seeing it, just don't post it.
Some people take the knee-jerk reaction to go silent on social media or lock their accounts down for fear of negatively impacting their work life. Instead, they need to take advantage of the positive impact their presence can have on their careers.
This is why I tell people who are actively looking to either scrub or lock those profiles down.
70% is too big a number to ignore. Employers are looking so make sure your profile is ready.
Executive Resume Writer for Global Leaders + LinkedIn Branding | Interview Coach 💼 Former Recruiter —> Founder of Briefcase Coach | Outplacement Provider | The Future of Work is Here™ | LinkedIn Learning Instructor
11moFirst impressions happen digitally now before they happen in person! Great reminder to control the narrative.