Social media is one of the most popular online activities. In 2020, over 3.6 billion people use some type of social media worldwide. From personal sites like Facebook, Snapchat, WhatsApp, TikTok and Instagram, to professional sites like LinkedIn, your social media self is speaking on your behalf, whether you like it or not. Recruiters are increasingly scouring the internet for information about potential employees. According to a Harris Poll survey, 70 percent of employers utilize social media to screen candidates prior to hiring. In other words, your social media self could tip the scales in favor of another equally qualified – but more polished – candidate.

CREATE A LINKEDIN PROFILE

In the professional world, it is imperative that you have a LinkedIn profile. LinkedIn has more than 500 million members in over 200 different countries. Their mission is simple: Connect professionals together so they become more successful. Over time, LinkedIn has become a great resource for employers to network with others and to help in their recruitment needs.  

In addition to building your LinkedIn profile, you need to become an expert in your field. Recruiters often go after professionals whose work is seen and known in their industry. That's why it's important that you stay active, not just by sharing content, but also by attending conferences, writing blogs, getting quoted in industry publications, or networking within your field. This way, you are able to bring greater awareness to the expertise you have to offer.

MAINTAIN A MATURE ONLINE PRESENCE

Outside of LinkedIn, you want to be sure that your other social media accounts demonstrate a vibrant, mature presence.  93% of recruiters are likely to look at a candidate’s social profiles. Sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram allow employers to get a glimpse of who you are outside the confines of a résumé, cover letter, or interview. That doesn’t mean you have to eliminate the cute pics or funny memes, but your social feeds should be curated as if a recruiter is looking at them.   

You want to include content that shows you care about trends and events in your industry, and you have intelligent, constructive views about them. Make sure your profiles are free of typos, the information is coherent, and your photos present you in a favorable light.

MISTAKES TO AVOID

Recruiter's utilize a variety of search resources including targeting social media in order to find both active and passive talent. A social footprint can say a lot about a person both in a positive or negative way. Recruiters have had the following reactions to candidate profiles:

                83% Negative - Reference to Illegal Drugs

                71% Negative - Posts of a Sexual Nature

                65% Negative - Profanity

                61% Negative - Spelling or Grammar Errors

                47% Negative - Pictures of Alcohol

                65% Positive - Volunteering or Donations to Charity

CHECK YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE

If you are actively searching for work or your company has strict social media policies, be sure to take some time to go through your social media timelines and delete any questionable posts. You can also do an internet name search to see what activity or internet history is associated with it.  When in doubt, you can set all your personal social profiles to private. 

About Lofton: Founded in 1979, Lofton Services offers clients the best of all worlds. We provide the responsive, personal service and flexibility of a small local firm while having the technology, resources, and infrastructure to deliver the benefits of the biggest players in our industry. Lofton Staffing can deliver the right people, with the right skills, right when you need them. Contact us today.