Your Online Presence Affects Your Job Search

In today’s job market, your online presence can be just as important as your resume. In fact, many employers will search for your name online before they even consider you for a position. That’s why it’s important to review your online presence and make sure there’s nothing that could be taken out of context or reflect negatively on you for your job search.

You should also take the time to clean up your social media accounts and LinkedIn profile. Remember, LinkedIn is a professional networking site, so you want to make sure your profile reflects your professional brand and resume.

Facts

According to a Zippia, 2022 Social Media Recruitment Statistics show: 

• 67% of employers use social media sites to research potential job candidates.
• 94% of recruiters use social media.
• 92% of employers check social media. More specifically, 67% say they use social media sites to research potential job candidates. Believe it or not, 54% of companies have eliminated a candidate based on their social media feed alone.

Another national survey that was conducted by CareerBuilder by the Harris Poll in 2018 sampled over 1,000 hiring managers and human resources professionals found: 

• Nearly half of employers (48 percent) check up on current employees on social media
• A third of employers (34 percent) have reprimanded or fired an employee based on content found online
• Nearly half of employers (47 percent) say that if they can’t find a job candidate online, they are less likely to call that person in for an interview – 28 percent say that is because they like to gather more information before calling in a candidate for an interview; 20 percent say they expect candidates to have an online presence.

Reasons to not hire a candidate found by employers: 

• Job candidate posted provocative or inappropriate photographs, videos or information: 40 percent
• Job candidate posted information about them drinking or using drugs: 36 percent
• Job candidate had discriminatory comments related to race, gender, religion, etc.: 31 percent
• Job candidate was linked to criminal behavior: 30 percent
• Job candidate lied about qualifications: 27 percent
• Job candidate had poor communication skills: 27 percent
• Job candidate bad-mouthed their previous company or fellow employee: 25 percent
• Job candidate’s screen name was unprofessional: 22 percent
• Job candidate shared confidential information from previous employers: 20 percent
• Job candidate lied about an absence: 16 percent
• Job candidate posted too frequently: 12 percent

Review Your Online Presence

When you are job searching, it is important to be aware of your online presence. This is because potential employers may search for you online and form opinions based on what they find.

The best way to check your online presence is to do a Google search for your name. Review the results and see if there is anything that could be interpreted in a negative light by an employer. If there is anything negative or unprofessional appearing in the results, take steps to remove it .

It is also a good idea to set up Google Alerts for your name. This way, you will be notified whenever your name appears online so that you can monitor your online presence and take action if necessary. See what comes up when you do a search for your name.

Clean Up Your Social Media And Online Presence

In today’s digital age, it’s important to be aware of how your social media presence can affect your job search. Employers are increasingly looking at candidates’ online profiles as part of the screening process, so it’s important to make sure your social media presence is positive and professional.

Here are a few tips for cleaning up your social media and online presence:

1. Review your privacy settings. Make sure that only people who you want to see your information can access it.

2. Remove any unprofessional photos or posts. If you wouldn’t want a potential employer to see it, take it down.

5. Make sure the information on your resume and online profiles match up. Inconsistencies can raise red flags for employers.

Review Your LinkedIn Profile

Your LinkedIn profile is one of the first places potential employers will look when they’re considering you for a position. It’s important to make sure that your profile accurately reflects your professional brand and resume. LinkedIn provides more space than your resume, so you can really showcase your skills and experience.

Here are a few tips for optimizing your LinkedIn profile:

1. Use a professional headshot as your profile picture.

2. Fill out your profile completely, including your work history, education, skills, and any relevant publications or presentations.

3. Write a compelling summary that gives employers a sense of who you are and what you can bring to the table.

4. Seek out recommendations from past colleagues, clients, or supervisors. These can be very helpful in showcasing your skills and abilities.

5. Join relevant groups and participate in discussions to show that you’re engaged with your profession.

4. Be active and engaged on professional networks like LinkedIn. These can be great places to connect with potential employers and showcase your skills and experience.

By taking these steps to optimize your LinkedIn profile, you’ll put yourself in a better position to succeed in today’s competitive job market.

Your Online Presence Represents Your Actual Behavior

While your online presence is important, employers also care about your behavior in the real world. If you’re applying for a job, it’s important to dress and behave professionally during the interview process. First impressions matter, so make sure you’re making a good one.

It’s also important to be careful about what you say and do outside of work. If you’re posting photos or comments that could be construed as unprofessional, it could reflect poorly on you and damage your chances of getting a job. So think twice before posting that party photo or venting about your current boss on social media.

In today’s competitive job market, it’s important to be mindful of both your online and offline presence. By behaving professionally and presenting yourself well, you’ll improve your chances of landing the job you want. So be careful what you post online and always be professional in your interactions.

Cleaning up your online presence and preparing for the job search is not a quick and easy task. We are here to help you if needed. Contact us today to get started.