5 Reasons Job Seekers Should Clean Up Their Social Media Presence

Social media is everywhere, and very few people, especially millennials, aren’t engaged in the social conversation. Aware of the critical nature of the social landscape, 92% of companies are using social media to post jobs and recruit quality candidates in less time than ever before. But more of them are also turning to the social space to vet their prospects, 86% of whom are already on some social platform.

Whether you realize it or not, your profile says a lot about you, from the things you say in your posts, to the pages and people you follow. Seventy-five percent of hiring managers will check your social profile, and 33% of them will reject you based on something unsavory they find.

Just what are employers looking for as they scour your social profiles? Managers regularly cite personality, professional images, a wide range of interests, and a background that matches your resume as particularly desirable. But before you go too far in showing your personality, be aware that things like inappropriate content, ranting about previous employers and an obvious disconnect between your resume and actual experiences are deal-breakers.

Are you on the job market, or working at a job you love? Follow these 5 steps to clean up your social media presence, and get (or keep!) the job you love.

1. Check privacy settings

If you can’t bear to part ways with your crazy, dramatic social image, consider setting it to private, in part or in full. Photos, posts and conversations can put your reputation on the line, and another candidate in front of you. So clean up, or check your privacy settings to rebrand yourself for hiring success.

2. Avoid vents and rants

Nobody likes a Negative Nell. Constantly talking bad about others, especially former employers, or picking fights on social media can give you some bad PR, and quickly put you out of the running. Transform your social profile into a place of inspiration and motivation. As you turn over this new leaf, you’ll help create change in others, as well as yourself.

3. Define yourself

Create a concise description of you and what makes you a great person. Unless it’s on a professional platform like Linkedin, it doesn’t have to be a business bio. Instead, use the space to expand on your interests, your passions, and your goals and dreams.

4. Share quality content

The things you share reveal what you care about. Share thought-provoking, relevant pieces or news related to your industry. Yes, you can also post cat videos. But use your social platform as a way to show that you’re in the know, and that you care about the industry. Your future employer will love this.

5. Update your profile picture

That photo of you scoring high-fives at Beer Pong might have awarded you with a plethora of likes, but your potential employer won’t appreciate it in the same way. But don’t be too quick to replace your profile pic with images of scenery, quotes or puppies. Update your profile image with a clear photo that captures your personality as an interesting and professional human. By helping them put a smiling face to the name and the clean profile, you’ll increase your odds of beating the competition.

Having employers on social media doesn’t have to mean the end of fun as you’ve known it. It’s simply a call to maturity as you determine who you want to be and take the steps to make it happen.