7 steps to maintaining employer-friendly social media

Job searching used to be a straightforward process. A job seeker applied for a position, scored an interview, provided references, and secured an offer. But as technology advances, employers gain extra tools to verify a candidate's eligibility — including social media. As social media continues to evolve, it becomes an added resource that employers can reference when hiring. It can even serve as an extension to your resume.

Today's job seekers must consider their presence online and how it might affect their potential employer's first impression of them. Remember that prospective employers are highly likely to find and review your social media when you apply for a job. According to a 2020 Harris Poll, 70% of hiring decision-makers feel it's important for a company to screen applicants' social media accounts.

When you manage your personal social media profiles, keep your audience in mind. Format your accounts with the mindset that all the content you post is public. Depending on the platform, you might have to consider extra measures when creating content and reviewing what should stay and what should go.

Here are some helpful tips for ensuring that your social media is appropriate for employers.

Google is your friend

Sometimes it's as easy as searching for your name on Google. Take a look at the top relevant results. What would potential employers find here? Use these Google results as a guide on what to update first.

It's not uncommon for potential employers to search for your name before an interview or offer. It can even be the difference between hiring you or someone else. In these cases, your search results offer an extended resume with just a few clicks.

Monitor posts and photos and delete questionable content

Give your social media a deep clean by removing dated posts that could potentially harm your chances of getting the job you really want. If you have doubts about whether a post is appropriate or not, it's likely best to delete it. Remember, you could always download it or screenshot it for posterity.

For Facebook, you can also turn on your timeline review setting to approve what appears on your profile, which could help prevent photos of you from being shared publicly without your knowledge. For consistency's sake, get in the habit of occasionally reviewing your profiles. Always be respectful in what you post and how you engage with others.

Don't delete your social profiles

While you want to remove questionable content, it's essential to maintain some social media presence. Today's employers will likely be suspicious of applicants without an online footprint. In fact, the 2020 Harris Poll revealed that 21% of employers wouldn't consider an applicant who doesn't have an online presence at all.

"Today's job seekers must consider their presence online and how it might affect their potential employer's first impression of them."

Take it back to the basics

Sometimes making your social media employer-friendly is as easy as checking the spelling and grammar of your captions and posts. Many job descriptions list attention to detail as a highly sought-after skill, so catching accidental misspellings and grammatical errors can quickly level up your social media.

Showcase your achievements

As for important milestones, it's worth sharing professional achievements that emphasize your skill set, like volunteering, earning a certification, graduating with a degree, or getting a feature in a publication. This type of content showcases your capabilities in a way that doesn't feel forced and boosts your credibility within your industry, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, where recruiters constantly scan for candidates who could be the right fit.

Using your social media to comment on and share business posts important to your industry can be beneficial. You can also ask former colleagues to post recommendations to your profile to display your strengths and vouch for your impact as a team member.

Another way to showcase your achievements is to create a professional online portfolio at CareerBuilder and keep it up-to-date.

Choose the perfect profile picture

A well-planned profile picture can help you make a good first impression when you're job searching. Regardless of the channel, your profile picture is one of the first things an employer will see, so make it count. Choose a photo that represents your personality and your professionalism. For LinkedIn especially, your profile picture is part of your brand, so it should be a high-resolution, solo image.

One general rule is to keep your profile picture up-to-date. If the shot is several years old, it's time for a new photo.

Prioritize your privacy

Privacy should take priority on social media in general. If you like to keep life and work separate, change profiles to "private" for channels like Instagram and Facebook, which are usually more family- and friend-oriented. Customize your privacy settings to suit your preferences and keep a close eye on what's set to "public," especially since security features are constantly being updated and improved.

Now that you have some tips to professional-proof your social media, you are ready to fine-tune for your next job search on CareerBuilder.com. As you prepare for the year ahead, keep these points in mind and use social media to your benefit by enhancing your digital footprint.