By Courtney Hammer, Auto Care Association
You attended a football game and posted pictures on Facebook, a beer in hand, looking like you were having the best time of your life. Your friends loved your posts, but will your next employer?
Everything you post on social media, via LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and/or Instagram is out there and available to be viewed by hiring managers.
Your personal brand online has a significant influence on future job offers. According to a 2014 study conducted by Jobvite, 93% of recruiters surveyed will review a candidate’s social media profile before making a decision.
Hiring managers want to get to know you, and the first place that they look after reviewing your job application is online.
So, what can you do to safeguard yourself?
Take the time and Google your name. Continuously update your accounts and proactively take account of what you are tagged in and who you are associated with.
If you don’t have one already, create a LinkedIn profile with a good summary of your skills and interests. Make sure the photo displayed portrays you in a professional light.
Many people choose to make Facebook their “personal” social media account. If this is the case, then make sure that the privacy settings on the account are marked high so the information available in a Google search is limited.
Grammar is important. If you are commenting on Twitter or posting an update on LinkedIn, take a second and review your spelling.
Remove negative posts and comments and delete pictures that don’t shed a positive image of you.
Curb the use of profanity, references to drugs and alcohol, sexual posts and political affiliations. These are often negative attention-grabbers for a recruiter.
Interact with your networks. Don’t just broadcast updates. Take the time and actually comment on others’ posts. Recruiters observe how you interact and engage with peers.
Just remember, your next employer will certainly Google you before you even get to the interview. Make sure social media is positively working in your favor, not hurting your chances of landing that job.
Source: Jobvite
Courtney Hammer is the director of the job and career development program at the Auto Care Association. The Auto Care Association represents more than 500,000 businesses and employs 4.3 million people – and at any given time, has 300,000 rewarding and challenging careers available in a variety of areas, including technology, engineering, design and marketing. The auto care industry is economically strong, and built around the industry values of choice, safety and mobility – important qualities for today’s job-seekers.
Find the best jobs here: autocarecareers.org
