Social Media and Keeping It Professional

While social media has brought so many people together in our personal lives, it has increasingly become part of business and our professional careers. Job seekers are using social media to help them advance in their careers, such as using LinkedIn to network and showcase their skillset. Hiring employers are using social media as a recruiting tool by advertising jobs on platforms where users are already scrolling.

Additionally, many recruiters use social media to conduct research on job candidates to learn more about them. According to a survey from The Harris Poll (2020), 67% of hiring employers reported using social media as a way to research job candidates. Knowing this, maintaining professionalism across all social media accounts is of utmost importance. Here are some tips to ensure you are building a professional presence online.

Be respectful.

First and foremost, be respectful and use your best judgement when posting online. Whether that is on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn or TikTok--the list goes on! Before you post, ask yourself: What is my goal for this post? Who is my audience? Treat conversations on your social media accounts just like you would when conversing with someone at a conference or in an office setting. Remember that you are also representing your employer and any other groups you are involved with when posting online.

Keep posts appropriate.

Avoid profanity, offensive comments, and content associated with posts that may be viewed as inappropriate. This could include music, attire, or background settings. Social media is a great resource for expressing your personality and creative side. Your audience and potential employers want to see this! Just make sure you are being positive and think twice before you post.

Use Google.

What appears when you Google search your first and last name? If you can’t find yourself, try adding in your current employer, a club you are involved in, or location where you reside for a narrowed search. If the employer is using Google to research candidates, they may be pulling these keywords listed on your resume. Is there something you would rather have erased? Does it send a positive message? Make your first impression count!

Check for spelling.

It never hurts to be reminded to do a quick grammar check. Have a lengthy post? Before posting, consider pasting the content in a Word document and let autocorrect do the work for you…well most of it that is! Make a positive impression on the employer by showing them you pay close attention to detail.

Refrain from complaining or posting something negative about your workplace or colleague.

Even if you have a private platform, your posts can still get out to the public eye. Is the post or “like” something that you want to own forever? Let’s face it, we all have frustrations and have encountered stressful situations. Turn to a family member or friend to talk through a situation you are encountering instead for a listening ear or advice on how to best handle the situation.

Create a LinkedIn Profile.

Did you know that LinkedIn has over 800 million members? Since there is a high chance employers you are interested in have a page themselves, it is likely that they are using it to review your achievements beyond your resume. Whether you have an existing LinkedIn profile or are getting ready to create one, make sure that all your work experiences, projects, extracurriculars, and awards are listed on your profile.

With social media ever-changing, maintaining professionalism online will always be a hot topic. How do you want your electronic interactions to live online?

“Use social media to show who you are and what you stand for.” - Jessica Nazarali