Social media is one of the biggest contributors to our digital footprint. We use social media like conversations, but there are two very important differences: social media conversations are seen by many and they never go away. You can delete a post from your feed, but you can’t stop someone else from saving or reposting it. Although there are obvious benefits to engaging on social media, one must always be cognizant about how you are portrayed through your posts, what you share and groups that you are a part of. Now, everyone has the right to use and absorb information through social media in the way they see fit. However, it is important to remember that your choices, and more importantly what you choose to post, can have an impact on your job search and in some cases your continued employment with a company.
Many organizations throughout the recruitment process will at some point engage in e-screening a potential candidate. They want to make sure that you align with their values and are a great fit for their organization. Any negative information found online can create a roadblock in your job search.
Take care to do these things to ensure that you are not passed over for an opportunity because of your social media presence:
Evaluating your digital identity should be a part of your job search preparation and strategy. Although it will be difficult to completely erase and revamp your online identity, there are things you can do to ensure that your digital identity reflects you professionally.
Make sure all of your interactions online are of a standard that you would be happy for others to view. A good rule of thumb to follow is if you wouldn’t want your grandmother to read it, don’t post or share it.
Take a moment to reflect and revise. Start with making an honest evaluation of your personal values, beliefs and activities to ensure they are compatible with your professional aims. Try to make revisions to your social media pages where possible. Remove questionable photos, personal information and group affiliations that may potentially prevent you from being considered for a job.
Manage your privacy settings so that you have control of what others will be able to find.
Conduct a Google search on yourself to see what comes up. Don’t limit yourself to just Google. Try multiple search engines as they may reveal different things. If you come across a site that has problematic information on you, contact the administrator of that site and request to have this information removed.
Works Cited
Kay O. (July 19, 2021) Managing a Professional Digital Identity: A Challenge for Connected Professionalshttps://www.linkinglearning.com.au/
Ruefman, Daniel (no date) Taking Control: Managing Your Online Identity for the Job Search https://writingcommons.org/
Allstate (no date) What Does Your Digital Footprint Reveal About You?https://blog.infoarmor.com/employers
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