Social media is a part of almost everyone’s life. As a college student, you probably use some form of it every day, even if it’s just by scrolling on your smartphone to check your Instagram feed between classes. From both a personal and professional standpoint, it’s a great way to express yourself and brag about your accomplishments.
But, it’s easy to get a little carried away and sometimes get too personal on social media. You might say things or post things without giving it much thought. While that might not seem like a big deal now, it’s important to think about how it might affect your future.
It’s becoming more common for recruiters and potential employers to look at social media accounts when they’re interested in an applicant.
That goes beyond their LinkedIn profile.
If you have unprofessional or inappropriate content on your accounts, it could end up being a huge red flag for recruiters.
While you don’t need to completely wipe away the personality and fun from your accounts, there are things you can do to clean them up in hopes of impressing recruiters. If you’re soon to graduate and you’re just starting to apply for jobs, now is the perfect time to do some social sweeping.
Filter Through Your Photos
What’s the first thing you look at on someone’s social media profiles? Chances are, it’s the pictures they have posted.
A picture says a thousand words, after all. So, when recruiters are looking at yours, what do you want those photos to say?
A good rule of thumb is to go through your accounts and either delete or privatize photos you don’t want recruiters to see. We’ve all done things that are less than professional – especially in college. While you don’t need to feel ashamed of those things, it’s time to start looking at your social media as a business tool when you’re trying to land a job.
As you go through and delete certain photos, consider replacing them with better ones that showcase who you are and how you want to portray yourself to potential employers. You can choose to take professional photos of yourself or focus on more casual, candid ones to show different aspects of your personality.
You also don’t need to delete all of your photos. Most employers value a well-rounded individual who will bring both hard and soft skills to their business. Keep photos where you’re dressed nicely, especially if you’re in “business casual” attire. That can make it easier for recruiters to visualize you in the workplace.
Watch What You Say
Almost every marketing professional knows that content is king.
When you’re looking for a job, you’re essentially marketing yourself to recruiters. So, developing the “content is king” mindset will help you discern what should and shouldn’t be said or shared on social media. Try to avoid posting things that might be seen as controversial right now, including:
- Criticism of a political party
- Support or disapproval for a specific group of people
- Complaints about the economy
- Criticism of public figures
The easiest way to make your content more professional is by filtering what you say from this point forward. Again, you don’t have to stop being yourself. But, think about what would look good to a recruiter, and what might be considered a “strike” against you.
Posting new content is easy. Cleaning up your existing content might not be such a walk in the park. Once something is on the Internet, it’s hard to completely erase that piece of your digital footprint. But, by going to all of the social media sites you use regularly and scanning through your posts – especially the most recent ones – you’ll be in better shape. It’s unlikely recruiters are going to dig several years into your past. So, if you have something derogatory or negative that really stands out, delete it as soon as possible. But, don’t stress over going back 10+ years.
Moving forward, adopt a positive online persona. Showcasing that side of your personality can make a big difference.
Finally, change your privacy settings.
Most social media platforms give you the option to set limits on who can see your content. If you make most of it private or not openly viewable to the public, recruiters won’t see much. You can also pick and choose which pieces of content are private, which can be the best way to go if you don’t want to delete things permanently.
Get Ready for the Next Step
Recruiters and employers understand that you’re only human. When you’re in college, you’re entitled to have some fun and enjoy the experience. But, when you’re starting to actively look for jobs your goal should be to make a positive impression from start to finish.
If you’re able to do that through your social media profiles, you might be asked to come in for an interview.
While job interviews can be nerve-wracking, they’re great for showing off who you really are and what you can offer to a particular business. Prepare yourself for the interview process by:
- Dressing to impress
- Preparing to answer common questions
- Rehearsing some of those answers
- Showing up on time (or earlier!)
- Doing your research about the company
- Understanding the details of the job description
Most people use social media as “highlight reels” of their actual lives. When you’re in college, it can feel like that even more than other times in your life. It’s a great way to preserve memories and let your personality shine online. But, it’s important to strike a balance between those fun, carefree times and the professionalism of your future.
Don’t erase who you are. If you do, that can be just as bad as unprofessional photos or content. Recruiters will want to know the real you because they’ll be interested in hiring you for your personality, ability to be a team player, and attitude just as much as how well you fit a job description.
Take the time to clean up your social media accounts. By doing it the right way, you can attract better job offers and employers that are excited to work with you.
About the Author:
Jori Hamilton is a writer from the Pacific Northwest who has a particular interest in social justice, politics, education, healthcare, technology, and more. You can follow her on Twitter @ HamiltonJori.
