In the age of the Internet almost everyone and everything is searchable and it’s very common for employers to do a background check when deciding between candidates for a position.  While social media is a great place to share the details of your life with friends and family, occasionally the things you post can get you into hot water with potential employers. Here are some tips to help you post smartly, and keep your social media presence both personal and professional: 

Change Your Privacy Settings. This tip may seem like a no-brainier, but many people skip this fundamental step. Simply changing your privacy settings will give you more control over who can see what you post. Social media sites even let you customize your privacy settings, so you can vary the degrees of privacy you have with certain people. This is a great tool when beginning your job search to make sure potential employers only see the best of your content. 

Delete Inappropriate Posts. When searching for jobs, usually deleting unsuitable material from your various profiles is one of the very first steps. Unfortunately, there are some things we can’t control. For example, getting tagged in unbecoming pictures or posts by friends and family! In situations like these, the best thing to do is simply delete or hide the post from your profile. 

Make Connections. Don’t feel like you have to completely shut down your online presence to land a job! There are so many wonderful aspects to social media, one of them being that it’s easier to find a job in the first place. With so many people and opportunities at your fingertips, don’t forget to reach out to companies and people you’re interested in working with. You never know what a simple “hello” could do for your future! 

For more tips on getting hired in the 21st century, contact us today!