Nowadays, it’s common knowledge that whatever you post on the internet can be seen by anybody at anytime. Your Facebook or Twitter accounts are stages for broadcasting who you are and what you’re doing with your life. It’s a way for friends and family members to celebrate your existence and give you recognition. However, they aren’t the only ones in the cyber world giving you attention. Something that has become of rising importance, especially for young adults, is the fact that employers are increasingly screening the social media profiles of potential employees. In a competitive job market, recruiters are gathering all the information they can to help them make the best hiring decisions. “I don’t have to worry, since I always keep my nose clean,” you may say. Although that may be case for a number of people, there are always precautions to keep in mind when posting anything to social media. In an increasingly connected world, any kind of information on anyone can be retrieved.
What do employers hope to find online that they can’t know from resumes, cover letters, or references? The answers to this question can vary, but they generally include looking for more information that backs up a candidate’s qualifications, searching for a professional online persona, what other people are posting about a candidate, and even reasons not to hire a potential employee. Regardless of what employer’s reasons are for searching for additional online information, they often times do find something that helps or hurts a candidates chances for landing a job. Provocative or inappropriate photographs, poor communication skills, or bad-mouthing a previous company or fellow employee are some of the top turn-offs recruiters find. On the other hand, online information that can help a candidate’s cause is having a professional appearance, a personality that comes across as a good fit with company culture, or the right qualifications for the job.
In addition to being careful about what you post, it’s important to take the proper steps to ensure your online privacy. Many workers and job seekers are taking measures to avoid over-sharing with potential employers. This means sharing posts only with friends and family and having your profile set to private. Keep your professional and personal profiles separate from one another. Having a LinkedIn account, for example, is a great idea and something that college students should establish for themselves.
What I believe all of this comes down to is just simple common sense. Realizing that there are several sets of eyes on you at all times whenever you post online is your best defense against posting something regrettable or questionable. Making statuses about how you took several long pulls from a handle of vodka at the frat party or about how you went streaking with your college friends last weekend probably aren’t the best ideas. Professionalism is an art. Collegiate or juvenile antics aren’t going to further you along the path of professional development. Whether you enjoy it or not, our personal lives are made more public than ever today due to the influence of social media.
So, think twice before you make that next questionable post. Your lucrative future career at Goldman Sachs could be in the balance.
