Social media don’ts during your job search

Over the past decade, technology and the use of social media has been incorporated into almost every business or organization’s marketing strategies. It’s a way to highlight your products and reach an audience that spans just about every generation. In the field of human resources, and more specifically, recruitment, social media and platforms such as LinkedIn, can help recruiters find good talent and grow their candidate pool. The use of social media can also become a useful tool for any candidates in the job search process, however, there are a few things to keep in mind regarding social media while trying to find a new job.

Here are some tips on what not to do on social media while you’re looking for a new role.

Don’t post anything you wouldn’t want your grandma to see

Although privacy settings have come a long way, I still advise people within my network to be mindful of what they post. Anything that is uploaded on the internet is ultimately uploaded forever, even if you decide to delete it later. Your social media accounts are a way for you to personify yourself, as well as your likes, interests, and maybe even your professional abilities. Just to be safe, my golden rule is: Do not post anything you wouldn’t want your grandma to see. In other words, if you would feel ashamed or awkward about your grandma viewing what you just posted, then just don’t do it. Chances are, your potential new employer, wouldn’t want to see it either.

Don’t post during business hours

If you are currently employed but seeking new work, be mindful of not only what you post, but when you post. Time is one of the world’s most valuable resources, so if a recruiter sees that you are posting on personal accounts during regular business hours, it demonstrates a lack of care or concern for company time.

Do not connect too early

There is no better feeling than having a great job interview with an amazing company, but don’t let that feeling cloud your judgment and hit the connect button too soon. Although expanding your professional network is a key part of the job search, by connecting with the people you just interviewed with, it might convey a level of confidence that is not intended and may not be appreciated by your interviewers.

Don’t neglect your profile

Use your social media! Simply having a LinkedIn page or Twitter account isn’t enough. You have to maintain your accounts to make them work for you. Connect, share, and create your own content to demonstrate to employers that you’re up to date on the hot topics and current trends in the industry.

Overall, social media can do a lot of good in terms of helping you with your job search. Just be mindful and follow these tips to make sure social media remains your ally and doesn’t become your foe.

– Jordan Priest, Recruitment Associate