Increasingly, recruiters and HR managers are going online to evaluate potential job candidates. According to recent research, 93 percent of hiring decision makers use or plan to use social media to support their efforts. Eighty-three percent of HR pros believe the recruitment process will become more reliant on digital content in the years ahead, and 61 percent say negative content helps them to rule out candidates, as they deem them inappropriate or unprofessional as a result.
Common Mistakes
How do you shoot yourself in the foot on social media as you search for your next job? Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
- Posting risqué pictures: 60 percent of recruiters said this is grounds for eliminating someone from the short list for hiring. (Remember: screen any photos of you that might be out there, not just those you post. The same goes for all content!)
- Writing negative comments: This is a deal-breaker according to 71 percent of those surveyed.
- Sharing controversial opinions: 30 percent of hiring managers cited this faux pas on the part of potential candidates.
- Using inappropriate language: This is a professional death knell in the eyes of 65 percent of HR pros.
Make Social Media Work for You
Optimize the benefits of social media on your job search. Here are some tips for loading online content in your favor:
- Keep your pages clean and neutral. Even though social media is designed for expressing yourself, you don’t way to sway an employer or recruiter on whether or not you’d be a good cultural fit. Keep political and other potentially controversial views non-existent. Review your status updates and other content regularly. At the very least, adjust your privacy settings to safe levels.
- Google yourself. As noted by Dan Schawbel, author of Me 2.0, “Your first impression isn’t a firm handshake. It’s a Google search.” If you’re nowhere to be found in search engines, employers may question whether you’ve kept up with the latest trends, developments and technology in your field. If necessary, start building your impressive online reputation. A good way to get started is by blogging about your industry. This helps you position yourself as engaged and informed – qualities that recruiters are always looking for. By the same token, Googling yourself is another way to eliminate negative content.
- Create a personal website. Forty percent of HR pros surveyed said they would be more inclined to select a candidate who took this step.
Leveraging social media is an excellent way to brand yourself as a professional, knowledgeable and personable candidate. If you need additional tips to boost your branding strategy, as well as access to top area jobs, read our related posts or contact the PrideStaff Modesto team today.
