If one of your
top goals this year is finding a new job,
do you stop and think about your online reputation?
Unfortunately, too many individuals do not take the time to consider how their actions on social media sites can end up costing them the job they desire.
In a day and age when the Internet is a part of so many lives, job applicants need to sit back and consider the possible ramifications of not acting properly when being online, especially as more employers come to the Web.
According to a from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) in February 2012 and CareerBuilder in March 2012, 37% of employers use social media to research job candidates while 11% opposed of using social media but said they would soon start.
In breaking down what employers are looking at:
- Sixty-five percent of hiring managers look to see if an applicant presents him or herself professionally
- Fifty-one percent look at whether they are a good fit for the company culture
- Forty-five percent said more qualifications of the candidate
- Thirty-six percent said whether the candidate is well-rounded
- Twelve percent said reasons to or not hire the candidate
So, in the event 2013 finds you looking for a job or looking to change out of your present position, here are some things to consider when going online:
1. Careful what you post -
Whether the comment or photo seems innocent or not, it could end up torpedoing your ability to get the job you want. With the millions and millions of eyes that peruse sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest and others on a daily basis, you never quite know who is checking out your respective online profiles. Unless you have them locked and available to only folks you want viewing you, your profile, comments, pictures etc. are exposed to countless individuals. With that being the case, be careful in what you post, especially if it has any hint of not being politically correct.
2. Careful who you befriend -
Another area that could draw the attention of employers is who you follow on sites like Facebook and Twitter. If you are friends with and/or following individuals and groups involved in questionable behaviors, that could lead an employer to question your judgment. Keep in mind that judgment makes up a major part of your profile when it comes to being hired for a job. If an employer questions your judgment on social media, they may question whether or not you would make the right decisions when it came to handling customer matters.
3. Careful of what others say about you -
Lastly, take note that there are companies out there who will gather and post information about individuals, including financial information, addresses, legal matters and more. You should do periodical Google searches of your name to see just what is out there, including looking for negative data that could be at the top of search engines. It is naive to think that employers won’t take the time to search for such information, especially when the job market is so competitive. Even if you have the best qualifications for the job, one misstep online could cost you that position.
If a job hunt is on your radar for 2013, make sure your online reputation can withstand any scrutiny.
Dave Thomas covers small business and career topics for various websites, including reputation management services.
