Digital Footprints: how social media can affect your job prospects
You have been warned, watch yourselves!
In one survey, it was revealed that “47% of employers check social networking sites to screen prospective employees immediately after receiving their job application” with “Facebook checked by 76% of employers, followed by Twitter (53%) and LinkedIn (48%)”. It’s not all bad news, some “68% of employers have hired a candidate because of something they saw about them on a social networking site” but it’s still risky to assume your social media is in line with what the employer wants.
With this in mind, it’s worth thinking about what sort of image your social media profiles create. Whilst the odd swear word, poor bit of spelling or drunken photo of you at University won’t phase anyone (employers recognise that you’ve got a personality!), you need to bear in mind the consistent pattern your profile generates. If it’s mostly posts about your cat, you’re fine. But some employers will be turned off profiles that use excessive swearing, posts during work hours, controversial strong opinions or personal attacks.
With this in mind, it’s worth thinking about what sort of image your social media profiles create. Whilst the odd swear word, poor bit of spelling or drunken photo of you at University won’t phase anyone (employers recognise that you’ve got a personality!), you need to bear in mind the consistent pattern your profile generates. If it’s mostly posts about your cat, you’re fine. But some employers will be turned off profiles that use excessive swearing, posts during work hours, controversial strong opinions or personal attacks.
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