For many job seekers, the Internet presents two very different worlds. One consists of hanging out with friends via social networking, and the other focuses on the seriousness of a job search.
Having the worlds collide could result in the playful social media environment posing problems for a job search since many employers conduct online research to determine candidate eligibility. This is why, if you’re looking for work, it’s best to avoid the following mistakes that could hinder your job-seeking process:
1. Leaving Your Profile Page Open to Strangers
If you’re conducting a job search, now’s the time to set your personal profiles to private. Doing this ensures your personal information is viewable only to your friends list—not employers digging for information that could remove you from candidacy.
2. Including Your Real First and Last Names on Your Profiles
On sites like Facebook, it’s often difficult to use any name but your real one. But if you want to keep your private and job-seeking lives separate, now’s the time to find a way to alter your name. If you can’t change the names on your sites, consider temporarily deactivating them. Or stop posting information that is unprofessional and in this day and age – easy to find.
3. Displaying Unprofessional Profile Photos
An employer doesn’t have to be on your friends list to see a profile photo of you on display. So be sure not to make the photo of you lying drunk on the curb your main profile picture. Instead, consider a professional picture—or even a cartoonish avatar as an alternative. If an employer conducts a Google search of your name any pictures affiliated with your profiles may pop up on the first results page.
4. Allowing Friends to Post Unprofessional Comments
Managers often judge crude or offensive comments left on profiles, even if they’re left by someone else. So in case your profile slips through the cracks and is viewable by some hiring managers, make sure all comments listed are PG-13.
5. Tweeting about Bad Work Behavior
You may want to tweet to your friends you got away with being late for the third time this week. But while job seeking, it’s best to avoid these types of tweets as they could look bad to a prospective employer who is looking for a way to judge your work ethic.
6. Bashing Current/Previous Employers
Many people like to make comments about how their co-workers or boss made them mad. Keep in mind prospective employers will be looking for this type of information, so refrain from making these comments at all costs.
The slightest mistakes made while playing in the world of social media could make a huge difference in your being hired. So keep this in mind as you decide how you will allow your social networking and job seeking worlds to coexist.
Jessica Holbrook Hernandez, CEO of Great Resumes Fast is an expert resume writer, career and personal branding strategist, author, and presenter.
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About Jessica Holbrook Hernandez
#1 – You should not post anything on any public social media stream that you are ashamed of or could hinder you in business or career. Note my use of “public”. I use private groups on Facebook to have semi-private conversations.
#2 – Always use your real name on all public Social Media streams. And, use only one name. I have seen people with multiple profiles and this can be contradictory and create confusion for job seekers which will reduce their interest.
#3 – Facebook is all about people and sometimes there are some unflattering pics. However – know the difference between unflattering & distasteful pics at all times. Twitter & LinkedIn are examples of Social Media sites where you should only post business appropriate pics.
#4 – Fully agree… shut down the idiots.
#5 & #6 – Agree… ever post work, fellow employer or boss trashing statements on any Social Media stream. Even if not job seeking. It’ll bite you later.
I disagree with number 2. Private and work lives are enmeshed. Your personal network should know that you’re looking and should have some context to who you are. Today’s friends can be tomorrow’s co-workers. Why wouldn’t you use Facebook to build your reputation that is a mix of professional/personal? We recommend people we know, like, trust.
I would also add that (seems like common sense, but trust me–it isn’t) if you’re participating in LinkedIn groups or other peer communities, put your best positive, confident, relevant, expert) face forward. We may live in a globally connected world, but within that we collect in small circles. If we don’t have the power to hire, we probably have the power to connect or recommend (or the flip side).
I would also add to number 4 is don’t bash ANYBODY (person or organization)… period. I’m still amazed at the people who will bash companies they’ve applied to in the past, or are currently applying to, who bash a whole industry, who bash a role/profession, a whole sex, etc. etc. If you have valid criticisms take them offline, in a private conversation, like a leader should.
Um, isn’t Number 2 a wee bit unethical, if not just going too far? It’s a massive pain to deactivate one’s entire facebook profile. What are you, in Witness Protection all of the sudden? I knew someone who changed their facebook name completely, last and first, just so that employers would avoid seeing their inappropriate profile content. So why not just skip to the final sentence of that particular paragraph, where it the author writes “stop posting information that is unprofessional.”
Number 1 and 3 are no brainers. All should know this. Number 4 is a tough one. Managers shouldn’t judge people, but judging is in their job description. It’s hard to be objective for a manager, since a place like facebook is for friends, not employers to look at. But employers do it. It is right? Is it ethical? I’d say more no on the No side. Set privacy to private for pictures. Delete any messages from friends that may be too personal or use facebook email. It’s simple and it works. Why not just post positive affirmations on your profile daily? I’m sure an employer will see this. If they like to judge based on pictures and they will judge you (if you are too short, too fat, too gray haired, not smiling enough) so why not give them a reason to like you? Stay on the up and up in being positive. No one wants to hire someone complaining about their ex-boss on Twitter or FB.