Complications from coronavirus may have slowed the economy, but businesses are still hiring. Some businesses are actually thriving in these pandemic conditions, thus, certain types of professional positions may be in even greater demand. But candidates must present records that are as spotless as possible. Social media profiles, posts, and comments are one source of information on the character of applicants that modern recruiters and company officials won’t overlook. A social media review is an essential step in preparing for an upcoming job search.

Making certain those revealing photos or questionable comments are wiped from your sites is one sure way to increase your chances of landing that coveted position. Don’t lose out due to a thoughtless or outdated post.

Do Some Detective Work: Scroll and Delete

Seeking your first job or an upgraded position? It’s time for an overhaul of your online presence with a social media review. Make a list of every site which has a record of your identity. Review each site thoroughly, putting yourself in the place of a company official at the business to which you are applying. Ruthlessly delete content or photos from any post considered objectionable or questionable.

Online profiles are an easy way for potential employers to learn your habits, preferences, and means of conducting yourself. Are you respectful of others? Alternatively, have you made negative comments toward site visitors? Any sexually suggestive photos? Do comments appear judgmental of certain types of people? Indeed, wiping negative posts from your sites is the most effective, least expensive way to make yourself attractive to employers.

Social Media Sites Shouldn’t Be Casual If You Are a Professional

Perhaps when you opened your social media accounts you were still in school: very young and focused on having fun. Do your profile photos display you as a participant in controversial behaviors? There are places to display those photos appropriately, but they shouldn’t be shared prominently.

An article in Business News Daily explains that social media reviews are gaining in popularity and stresses the importance of keeping the content of these personal sites clean. The author explains that it can be essential to possess a personal social media presence, as many employers today expect to find candidates online. Obviously, the content should be monitored for anything that could trigger concern or be misinterpreted. So we can’t stress the point enough: when beginning a job search, don’t forget to first conduct a full social media review.

Remember – Your Social Media Profiles Create Your Personal Brand

As you are likely aware, branding is essential for businesses striving to sell products. It’s just as important when creating profiles. Branding, as it applies to personal profiles for professionals, means synchronizing your appearance and the words used to describe your professional identity, your goals, and talents.

Focus on eliminating unprofessional photos and text. Then, make sure to project a relatively consistent identity across various social media channels. Take a look at the biggies: LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and other most frequently searched sites.

Complete a Social Media Review

Judy recently noted the importance of a complete social media review at a Chamber of Commerce Hawaii Young Professionals talk, where she offered tips on empowering job searches.

These times offer the perfect opportunity to make a career change or retire early. Perhaps a talent you possess is currently experiencing renewed demand. Bishop and Company offers access for our candidates to a huge database of open positions not advertised to the public. Contact us to discuss prospects that may be a great fit for your talents, skills, and interests, no matter whether you are a new graduate or at a turning point in your career path.