Let’s admit it, we’re all a bit addicted to social media. We have Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr and probably a personal site or blog that we use almost daily. What we don’t realize is that social media isn’t all about connecting with friends or posting that hilarious picture of you and your boyfriend. Employers are using social media, and you can be sure they’ll be checking you out on Facebook if you’ve applied for a job. Now that you know employers are looking, use that to your advantage. Make your social media work for you!
Keep it appropriate. Most of us know that posting pictures of our drunken escapades is a bad idea, but being appropriate on social media goes a bit beyond that. Cursing or talking about topics like drinking or doing drugs can also get you in a load of trouble with future employers. This also goes for the photos and comments you’re tagged in as well. A good hint: If you wouldn’t say it to an employer during a job interview, don’t post it online.
Post about a topic you love. Use your Twitter feed and Facebook posts to show your future employer you’re an expert. If you’re interest is fashion, be sure to post fashion related articles and re-tweet fashion writers and magazines. Same goes for any other interest. This will show your future employer that you really do care about the field you want to enter, and you’ve made effort to be as knowledable as possible.
It’s okay to have a personality online! You do want to show your employer that you know your stuff, but don’t make your social media presence entirely professional. Your employer will want to see who you are as a person too. Don’t be afraid to post cute pictures of your dog or some photos of you and some close friends. Use social media as a way to show your future employer that while you can be professional, you’re also incredibly witty, smart, or obsessed with black and white movies.
Spelling and grammar counts. There’s nothing more annoying to an employer to see a potential employee write “u” instead of “you.” Remember anyone can see your posts, so take a couple extra seceonds to formulate a complete sentence. Letting your employer see that you know how to write will ensure they don’t have to worry that you’ll write “lol” or “u” in a company email.
Social media is never, and I mean NEVER, private. No matter what your privacy settings are, you are posting to the internet, and things can live for a long, long time online. You never know when a “friend” may screenshot a nasty comment you made, or download an embarassing photo. Long story short, operate under the mindset that anyone can see anything you post online.