From footy banter to reality star adoration and family feuds, how you use social media can have a huge impact on your job prospects, both positive and negative.
We’ve all seen politicians, reality stars and public figures being pulled up in the media for past comments, posts and sharing distasteful memes. Some even raise eyebrows for images caught in their camera roll, accidentally shared on Twitter. The bottom line is, digital profiles aren’t easily erased.
According to Ofcom 95% of 16 to 24-year-olds have a social media profile, making them the biggest users of social media platforms in the UK.
With that in mind, it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that everything you do online adds to your own digital profile. Public profiles which can and will be trawled through by potential employers.
While your technical skills, ability and experience may put you in pole position for a new role, an inappropriate or offensive post can easily undo all that good work. In a world where digital due diligence is key, for both applicants and employers, consider the following five steps to avoid an awkward interview and land that dream role.
Be private
Routinely checking your privacy settings is good practice, regardless of whether you’re job hunting or not. Make sure your account can’t be hacked and utilise settings which stop others from posting pictures of you without consent.
Don’t vent online
We’ve all had awful bosses, teachers or co-workers who make our lives difficult. However, voicing your opinions about previous employers looks juvenile and unprofessional. If you want to vent about it, do it in person, not online where it can be easily screen shot, even if deleted.
Mind your language
Social media is the go-to whenever there is a big sporting event. It could be a Premier League game, World Cup, Grand Prix, Grand Slam, whatever. And social media is the place to be for live updates. With the adrenaline pumping, it’s easy to get swept away with thinking you’re in the stands. Taking to Twitter to use foul language, targeted abuse or worse will not only get your account suspended, it cost you a promising future.
Again, employers will expect you to be passionate, but the foul language and harassing other profiles is likely to see your CV firmly in the ‘no’ pile.
Be careful with photos
Sharing photos is what Instagram is all about, although there are some employers who will come down hard on applicants whose photos contradict their interview persona.
If you post images of yourself involved in illegal activity, fighting, screenshots from private conversations, negative interactions with your previous employers, questionable or distasteful behaviour, but gave a holier than thou interview, an interviewer is going to be sceptical about your truthfulness.
Keep messy nights private
Everyone likes to let their hair down just maybe hold back on splashing the messy aftermath all over your social media!