With the advent of the internet comes more ways for employers and hiring managers to check what kind of applicants are applying for the positions they are trying to fill. Aside from the applicant’s resume, employers also look into the applicant’s social media to see the applicant’s personality. It is not uncommon to hear stories of applicants and even employees removed because of their social media posts.
Fortunately, you can clean up your social media before you apply to any job search or post your resume online for consideration. Want to make your social media spotless before starting your job hunt?
Here are several tips to get you started:
1. Go Private
Before starting your job hunt, put all your social media accounts private so companies cannot see your activity. This will also help you keep the profiles personal and allow only your family and friends in these accounts.
2. Hide and Delete Any Questionable Posts
If you plan to keep your accounts public, you should archive or erase any questionable or inappropriate posts. You can also tweak your settings to show your posts to only close friends or yourself.
3. Deactivate Any Idle or Old Accounts
Do you have any social media accounts that you haven’t used in a while?
Try rechecking them and deactivating them so they won’t be located by hiring managers when they check your accounts. If you don’t remember all of these accounts, google yourself and look at the results.
4. Upload the Right Photos
Since there is a high chance you have a namesake in certain parts of the globe, you need to make sure your social media account has the right picture. Having the right image can help hiring managers find your account faster.
For the photo, it doesn’t have to be a professional headshot. Make sure that the profile and the cover photos are formal and visible.
5. Be Polite in Your Social Media Postings
A golden rule in social media is to be polite in your social media posts and not be offensive to a party or number of people. Whether it is your personal opinion about a topic or a simple shared post, you need to ensure it will not affect your reputation and be seen differently by the hiring manager.
If you can’t prevent making a controversial post, it is best to keep your profile private.
6. Add a Bio
Your social media profiles should have a bio that identifies who you are, what makes you different and why you are a perfect candidate. You can fill up the profile form of your chosen social media page or link them to your LinkedIn online profile while having a brief bio in your media account.
7. Change your URLs and Online Handles
Having a well-thought and easy to remember social media URL or handle can give hiring managers a clear idea about your personality. Ensure that the URL or online handle does not have negative connotations or cryptic messages.
8. Post Content Related to Your Chosen Industry
If you want hiring managers to see that you are dedicated to the industry or often keep yourself informed, post content related to the industry. It could be a shared article, commentary and even photos related to the information you want to showcase. Quotes can also show that you are thoughtful, creative and funny, and they also make a good post to share your opinion without complicating your post.
When hiring managers see these posts and see how it applies to the company, they may consider you for the position.
9. Have a Good Following List
To show that you are updated with the latest in the industry or inspired to make a statement by having a follow list of inspiring people and companies you love. These will show hiring managers that you are passionate about the industries, who you admire and what part of the industry you specialise in.
Social media is an excellent avenue for job seekers to showcase what kind of individual they are to potential employers. However, if they see that you have failed to grow your pages or there is content that does not conform to the company’s values, you have lost points already. Before hitting that “apply” button, make sure your online accounts are clear from anything that can affect your image.
Use the tips above to boost your online accounts to their best appearance and give you an extra advantage!
MiddleMe 
I’ll add another suggestion: get yourself an email address that isn’t ridiculous and/or creepy.
Working in a health-related section of the government last year I handled many claim applications. There were a few memorable email addresses: Bonk007 – bonk is Australian slang for horizontal exercise; Hotchick65 was another. The prize winner was an applicant named Pedersen, whose email combined his year of birth with an abbreviated version of his surname.
Trust me: if you’ve got an email address like Pedo75@whatever, you’ll be remembered. For all the wrong reasons.
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Hahaha! I choked on my tea on Pedo75. Oh my! What possesses him to use that kind of email address? I had seen my fair share of HotStuff, HotDude, PrincessUnicorn etc.
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I figured that it was an address created back in the early days of email, 20-25 years ago. Pedo wasn’t in such common usage then. Still, you’d think someone might have made the suggestion in the meantime.
As for PrincessUnicorn… immediately I see a large lady with several dozen cats and a tendency to swear at random strangers on the street.
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Actually, PrincessUnicorn turned out to be a tiny little lady that fears pups and kittens. I know because she’s a friend. Lol! She created that email address when she was a teenager. And yes, she did changed her email address eventually after I pointed it out to her that it isn’t appropriate for a thirty year old to use it for job applications.
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Yes, it’s a different world these days where it’s easy to find out just about anything about anyone. Great tips Kally and easy enough to implement.
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Thank you so much for your comment.
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Great advice as usual
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Thanks, Sheree! Cheers!
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You’re very welcome Kally
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Thanks for sharing this important information with us. Have a wonderful day.
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You’re most welcome. Have an amazing day!
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If one follows #s 3 and 4, the rest become unnecessary. “Online” does not me “secret” or “say or do anything you want.” Good advice again, Kally.
❤️&🙏, c.a.
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Thank you, C.A. Did you received my email reply?
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Yes! That was so sweet of you. Let me know if there ever is another project with which I can assist.
❤️&🙏, c.a.
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You’ll be first on my mind definitely. Have a blessed Sunday, dear friend.
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great tips, which in my opinion should be used in all circumstances.
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Big hugs! 🤗
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smile
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Great ideas as always Kally! 💖💖
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Thanks so much, Cindy! Hope you are having an amazing week.
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Think my conscience is clear regarding FB.
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Good for you!
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Good advice Kally. Social media cleanup is advisable on-going but particularly when someone is applying for a new position. Some things that are posted can be extremely prejudicial to both potential and current employment.
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Indeed. Especially if you post your political view on social media, you are just asking to be judged by hiring managers on both sides.
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