It’s well known that employers checking social media before hiring is commonplace these days. They look candidates up online to see if they are a good fit.
The most common online social media platform that hiring managers visit is, of course, LinkedIn. A vast majority will look at your LinkedIn profile, while many will also check out your Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook profiles. Some of these are more easily accessible than others, and you might think your privacy settings will prevent a hiring manager from seeing your posts on certain platforms. Perhaps they will. But a person may know someone you know and still be able to access your profile. Think of social media as public - always.
The content you post on each platform will differ, but there are certain things that, posted on any platform, will make a hiring manager think twice about offering you that job, and maybe even turn them off altogether.
While you should have an online presence – a majority of hiring managers won’t even consider someone if they can’t find them online – you should be careful and always think before you post or engage. What do employers look for on social media? A presence that tells them you're the best person for the job.
Keep content appropriate to each platform. All of your LinkedIn content should be professional, including your profile, your posts and activities, and your interactions. Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok can be less so, but it should still all be something you wouldn’t mind an employer seeing. Ask yourself what you would like employers or recruiters to know, and focus on that.
There are several types of content you should not post on any social media platform if you’re looking for a job. Common sense, conversations with hiring managers, and research conducted over the years tell us that posting these nine types of content may cost you job opportunities.
Sexual content/nudity. It’s 2021, and you can wear what you want and behave in any way you see fit, as long as you’re not hurting anyone. Just keep in mind that surveys have found that overtly sexy content or too much skin might sway a hiring manager away from hiring you.
Anything racist or discriminatory. This should go without saying, but comments targeting people on the basis of gender, race, or religion, or discriminating against any cultural or social group, are inappropriate for social media. They’re not appropriate for life either, but that’s your business. We’re just here to help you get a job.
Drug or alcohol use. Employers check to see if you are getting loaded every night or doing drugs. Be very careful with this type of content.
Angry rants, name-calling, insulting people. Don’t we all have that friend who consistently talks about how “stupid” people are for this or that way of thinking or how they can’t believe a group of people are such “idiots.” It may be about lifestyle, religion, politics, even fashion. Yeah, don’t do this. It doesn’t make you look smart. It makes you look angry, unhinged, and superior. You know the old saying: “If everyone else is an idiot, it’s actually you.” Hiring managers don’t want to see this.
Overly political content. If you are willing to live and die by your outspoken political opinions, and possibly lose out on opportunities because a hiring manager is uncomfortable with this outspokenness, then, by all means, carry on. If this is not you, and you need to get a job to pay the bills and feed your family, temper your political opinions, particularly if they are a bit fringe and likely to alienate some people. Also, see the above section regarding angry rants, calling people names, and acting superior. This type of thing often goes along with politics and, while you are certainly free to speak your mind, just remember that it might cost you.
Getting into arguments. Stop and think before you get into an argument on social media (or in the comments section elsewhere) – particularly if you’re going to lower yourself to insults and name-calling. People are more brazen online than they would ever be in real life – even when they’re not anonymous – and this is not a good look. Stop and think before you write a nasty retort or even a passive-aggressive one. That “LOL. OK, whatever! You do you!” isn’t fooling anyone. If you find you overstep, don’t be afraid to back down and apologize.
Posting too many selfies. Experts agree that one should not post a lot of selfies online. One or two selfies every few months is fine, as long as you post other things in between them. An Instagram or Facebook page with lots of selfies is a red flag for hiring managers, as it suggests the person may be insecure, a narcissist, self-absorbed, or all of the above. Why are you spending so much time taking pictures of yourself and posting them online when you could be upskilling or reading a book?
Grousing about your job or employer. Don’t complain about your employer or your job on social media. Posting “My boss is such an idiot. I hate him!” is a bad idea, and hiring managers will be put off by it.
Lying. Don’t boast about calling in sick to go to the beach or about lying in the job interview. This makes you look really bad. Once in a while, we will get wind of a story like this and are stunned at how short-sighted people can be.
Present yourself in the best possible light
Do engage with people. The point of social media is that it’s social. You’re not on stage performing for an audience. You’re in a social environment. If someone speaks to you, It’s rude to ignore them. Engage. If you get a compliment, say “thank you.” If someone asks a question, answer it. And if you see someone ask a question or ask for help on their profile, and you can help, do so. Imagine you’re interacting with these people in person, and do what you would do in person.
Keep your content professional and before you post anything online, ask yourself if it might affect someone’s decision to hire you. If the answer is yes, don’t post it.
