Many Americans have been unemployed since the start of the COVID-19 epidemic, and it’s no secret that finding secure and safe employment hasn’t been easy. If you’re looking for a job, there’s a chance you’ve already been working on improving your online presence to attract potential employers.
In 2020, there were 8 million advertisers on Facebook, mostly made up of small and medium-sized businesses. According to the Social Media Marketing Industry Report, around two-thirds of marketers mentioned Facebook as the most essential social platform. Up to 92% of interviewers use social media sites to learn more about you – so be careful what you post!
Of course, there’s a right way and a wrong way to go about using social media while job hunting especially if you aspire to become a Virtual Coworker.
Google Your Name and See What’s Online
One of the best ways to start job hunting is to simply search your name on Google. If you find any images, articles, social media accounts, or forum posts about you online (positive or negative), they may be used against you during job interviews. If possible, be sure to remove any negative content you find.
Step Up Your Social Media Game
While it might be tempting to make all your social media profiles private, job hunters use your social media presence to determine whether you’re a good match for the company culture. A Career Builder study revealed that roughly 42% of employers have turned down job candidates because their profiles were inactive. An active social media presence means you’re staying up-to-date with modern trends.
Remove Unflattering Photos From Facebook
If you have any job-related photos on your profile, make sure they are flattering! Employers are increasingly using social media to screen job applicants, so if they stumble upon a photo of you with alcoholic drinks in hand or look disheveled, don’t be surprised if it costs you the job.
Make Sure Your LinkedIn Profile Is Filled Out Completely
One of the most important job search tools is your professional profile on LinkedIn, which can be used to connect with employers and job recruiters. According to research by Careerbuilder, 35% of job recruiters visit LinkedIn every day. As a job hunter, make sure your social media profiles are filled out completely and correctly listed under your name.
When you’re looking for a job, it’s important to make sure you’re being smart with your online presence. Be sure to follow these tips to avoid social media pitfalls on your job hunt.
