Four tips for job candidates managing their social media accounts

Steve Thompson

Steve Thompson outlines why jobseekers should exercise caution when posting online.

Companies are now turning to social media as part of their recruitment process.

One bad impression created by a social networking account can cross even the most promising candidate off the hiring list, so it pays for jobseekers to be careful.

Social media has become ingrained into the everyday lives of millennials, so much so that some people seem to be forgetting that not every aspect of your day should be shared with the entire world.

Social media gives everybody the opportunity to become publishers, allowing people to have a voice that can be heard by millions all over the world. With this in mind, people need to be more considerate with how they are projecting themselves on platforms like Facebook and Twitter, especially while they are applying for jobs.

A survey by CareerBuilder found that two in five companies use social media to research candidates before making a final decision about them, a figure which has risen from last year and will no doubt rise again as the popularity of social media platforms continues to soar.

With this in mind, here are a few things to consider when managing your social media accounts.

Act with decorum

While your social media is a personal account, good taste must be at the forefront of your mind. Anything that you wouldn’t want your employer to see should not be broadcast on the World Wide Web.

Despite altering your privacy settings, there are still things that can be seen by all, for example, due to Facebook’s graph search update, anybody can now be located in the search option.

Think before you post those controversial thoughts, crack down on those security settings and if you do have to post anything your future employer might not take kindly to, make sure you make it private!

Manage your own brand

Treat your social media accounts as a way to showcase yourself as a brand.

Like a celebrity, create the best version of yourself and showcase your achievements and positive attributes on social media. One in five of the hiring managers surveyed by CareerBuilder found something on a candidate’s social media that confirmed the decision to hire them.

This can be in the form of specific interests, style of communication, or demonstrating professionalism. It just goes to show that, despite the many horror stories we hear, social media can have a positive impact on your job applications.

Having a consistent theme or voice across multiple platforms will make it easier for you to build up your own personal brand, as well as making it easier for employers to find you. The simplest way to be consistent is to use the same professional photo and name for all your public accounts, as it will be the first things employers check.

Become an expert

Ever dreamed of having a blue tick to confirm your identity on Twitter? Build your influence on social networking platforms and you never know, one day you could be held in the same esteem as some of the world’s leading thinkers.

People will flock to certain accounts to find expert advice, information and humour regarding a particular topic. Pick a niche and stick to it, for instance, if you are wanting to go into the fashion industry, make sure your public Instagram account features only fashion-related posts. This will grant you more industry-specific followers and will impress potential employers with your expert knowledge.

Stay classy!

You might hate your current job with a passion, but don’t be tempted to lament your boss or colleagues via the internet.

Even if you know this position is only a stopgap and that you’ll be leaving soon, it’s best to refrain from criticising the organisation, as this can put off future employers. Recruiters will immediately think that if you were critical of your last job, there’s only a matter of time before you start to post derogatory status updates about your new employer.

Remember, stay classy and don’t burn your bridges.

Steve Thompson is managing director of Forward Role Recruitment, a specialist digital marketing recruitment agency based in the North West.