Your Social Media Could Be Costing You Your Dream Job

Let’s be honest, we all love posting funny, crazy photos with our friends on our social media accounts for all of our followers to see. Many people use social media to share updates and photos but few understand the affect these can have on a potential job. With graduation only a month away, we should be cleaning up all of our social media accounts so that they display a great version of ourselves. If used appropriately, social media can either help you or hurt you in your job search.

When you mention job applications and social media in the same sentence, typically social media is seen as a disadvantage to you. Social media doesn’t have to be harmful in your job search. Social media can actually help you land your dream job. Sites including LinkedIn, Google+ and Facebook are frequently used by employers to list open positions within their company. These websites are great networking resources if used appropriately. Before sending employers the links to these accounts, ensure all of your information is clean and professional.

Although social media is a great resource to showcase your professional experience, it could sink you in a second. When an employer views unprofessional posts and photos on your social media accounts, it is an automatic turn-off. Employers search your social media accounts to ensure you would be a good fit and a strong representation of the organization. You may not realize what you do in your personal time affects outside views of an organization. It is important to avoid discussing politics, religion or any other related topics on your social media pages. While you have the right to express your opinions, your potential employer has the right not to hire you based off these opinions.

Social media can work for you during your job search if used appropriately. Clean up all of your social media accounts by deleting inappropriate posts and photos. Frequently search your name on Google and see what appears. If a link appears you do not want your employer to find, you should immediately delete this webpage if you are able. You can also change the privacy settings for your social media accounts so that employers only see what you want them to see. Social media can make or break your career so use it wisely!