Use Your Social Media Profile to Your Advantage: Your Boss could be Watching
January 5, 2012 
26 Comments
With social media becoming more a part of everyday life, applicants on the hunt for new jobs should look at sites like LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and even the newly launched Google+ as potential deal breakers when it comes to getting an offer.
A recent SHRM study (Society for Human Resource Management) revealed more than half of companies said they are using social networking sites to recruit for their open jobs, a notable jump since 2008 when only 34 percent of companies polled were using such sites. Although nearly all of the organizations (95 percent) used LinkedIn (a social networking site for professionals) for staffing, there was a surprisingly high percentage – more than half (58 percent) – that also used Facebook, with Twitter coming in at a close third.
Use Your Social Media Profile to Your Advantage
Binh Tran, CTO and co-founder of the San Francisco-based Klout – a company that provides social media analytics and measurement of influence on users – says when it comes to comparing two applicants on paper and making a decision, the job usually goes to the person who serves up creative, engaging content that has strong connections in the professional community.
For technology positions, Tran emphasized that an applicant will get a “big push” if they talk about what they do for work outside of work. Social media communication on other topics, such as charity work and extracurricular interests, also factors into the decision, since it gives insight into a person’s personality and is an indicator of whether they fit the culture. Also, a mix of outside interests in an applicant’s social media communication shows them to be well-rounded, Tran said.
Optimize and Build Your Personal Brand Presence with Social Media
Giving yourself online “street cred” will also up your brand presence as an expert in your field. This can be done by blogging about professional topics or being active in recognized online forums. Klout’s Tran also advises engineers to make sure they find themselves on Quora, a question-and-answer site where users can up someone’s answer, thereby giving them more authority on the subject.
Watch Your Digital Back
An easy way to make sure your personal and social activities or viewpoints are kept, for lack of a better word, personal, make sure you are using a social media site’s privacy settings to the full extent. This means keeping your profile, along with pictures, status updates and personal information private, so they are not available as search results on the site. Make sure you differentiate vanity usernames (most people tend to use the same handle for all sites) for various social networks that are geared for either private/recreational use versus professional online networking.
Renee Arends, Human Resources Manager from Calabasas-based Informa Research Services, said, “Using social media sites is part of our hiring process.” When asked what potential candidates should be wary of so hiring managers are less likely to discover unsavory information Arends provided some sound advice: “Delete tagged pictures of [yourself] at parties or out drinking alcohol, or not wearing appropriate attire. Omit any obscenities/inappropriate language. Google your name to see what is posted.”
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I always say watch what you post. People are watching you!!!! It could keep you from that JOB your applying for. Just use common sense!!
Very smart article. I liked it!
Purgly recently posted..Obrigado leitor por mais de um milhao de visitas ate dezembro de 2011
Agree Jorge! Unlimited number of ways to use Social Media
All good advice. While I have listed social media on some resumes, I typically keep things like Facebook set to “friend’s only” and keep them separate from work. I have been considering making a professional set of social media pages though.
Great advice to follow.
Times sure are different…when I got my first, well and second, maybe even my third job you could still get away with being a anonymous and totally lie to get that job. Not so much anymore.
I keep telling my older 3, watch what you post, especially my oldest in the Navy. The whole world doesn’t need to see a bunch of drunk sailors showing off…well….their moons
Great article. Glad I’m a SAHM. For now…
Sharon from EA
http://sharon-moms-madhouse.com/button-button-whos-got-that/2012/01/
Sharon recently posted..Button…Button…Who’s Got That Stupid Button?!
I have seen people get denied promotions and in some cases not even getting hired due to comments they have made on Twitter or Facebook.
I shared your post with some friends of mine, I think it’s important to acquire this new perspective when posting on social networks.
Retweeted. Yes, you must be responsible with your posts.
Yes, very important words. I am positively shocked at what some of my younger relatives post on Facebook – not only is my *Mom* a Facebook friend, but so is my manager. I’ve always self-censored what I post.
Rachel H recently posted..Christmas Day River View
The privacy settings issue seems to overlooked by many and often to their great cost Ric
Great Advice, shared on Facebook!
“Positive Thursday”
I just did a story on my blog (linked below) about a UK exec who got forced out of his job over a dispute about his LinkedIn profile. It’s a serious matter.
Scott Allen recently posted..UK Exec Forced Out Over LinkedIn Profile Dispute
You mean my snarky sense of humor could bite me? Only with employers who are absolute chodes…
Very good and timely advice. I am in the process of looking for a new job.
Thus new identities online are born LOL.
Good tips and reminders!
Everything you do online should be with the understanding that your current, or future, boss could see it.
Or, your wife, mother, sister, kids . . .
Karleen Harp recently posted..COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS – What Do They Really Mean?
While I agree wholeheartedly with the point of this article, I believe there may be room for misinterpretation by a potential employer of someone’s personal information online and in certain instances, a qualified candidate could be passed by. None of us is perfect, most have said and done things we would rather not share with our bosses.
the Boss is ALWAYS watching
Jason Ramsey recently posted..Giuliana Rancic Plans to Have a Double Mastectomy
Some good tips. About the username / avatar / nickname… not to use this across all sites. The same applies to e-mail addresses! Just try and type your e-mail inside google and see what turns up. I guess also some old Forum responses you wish were not online anymore!
Arne from Iphone Tips recently posted..Guide for iPhone | Tips and Tricks
Good points – well made. Posters take note!
good for my teen son to know when he joins the site. I have had a google alert set for many years on my name.
Bonnie Sayers (e)AUTISMFAMILY recently posted..New ABA Skills for New Year
All good points.
If your thinking Clearly “YOU” ALWAYS want to post good things that make “YOU” look employable. Not like everyone else!!!! Just a reminder!!!!