What you say and do on social media has consequences: just ask Donald Trump. It will also determine if you get that new job you've had your eye on.
According to a new survey released by Challenger Gray, as increasingly more social media platforms become popular, job seekers continue to expand their online footprints, creating and building multiple profiles. And, as a result, the overwhelming majority of job recruiters are turning to the internet as a means of ensuring that potential job candidates are a good fit for their companies.
In the survey, conducted in April and May among 300 recruiters in a variety of industries nationwide, nearly 80 percent of recruiters indicated that they use some type of internet or social media search as a means to vet or learn more about candidates, and 76 percent check these sites before they initially contact the candidate.
Specifically, 96 percent of respondents reported that they check LinkedIn before contacting a candidate, while 40 percent check Facebook. Sixteen percent search Twitter, and 14 percent see what appears on a Google search. “It is more important than ever that job seekers are up to speed when it comes to using social media. Job seekers should Google themselves to see what appears and make any changes that may reflect poorly on them,” said Andrew Challenger, vice president of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc
The Challenger survey found that the most problematic content for recruiters was pictures or language depicting drug use, followed by evidence of unprofessional behavior. Recruiters also reported that any public records on lawsuits or felonies was very problematic, as was any evidence that contradicted what appeared on the resume.
Ironically, while having unprofessional social media can hurt candidates, having no online presence can be just as concerning to employers. When the Challenger survey asked whether or not having no social media hurts a candidate, 43 percent of those surveyed replied that it did. While 45 percent of employers reported that it neither helped nor hurt to have social media profiles, many recruiters reported that having no online presence gave them pause, citing concerns over the tech-savviness of the candidate or ability to learn new technologies.
“Employers want to hire workers who can adapt to the changing technologies used in business. If they cannot find anything about you online, it could indicate that you are clueless about these emerging technologies or tentative to learn them."
“There are ways to use social media advantageously during a job search. The first step is to delete any tasteless or controversial posts, and then to leave or create ones that show passions, hobbies, or professional accomplishments,” said Challenger. “Candidates who are less comfortable with recruiters checking in on their social media should make sure that they have checked their privacy settings, and that they understand how these settings work. On Facebook, for example, profile pictures are always public, even to people who are not connected, which means that it is important that this picture is appropriate,” he added.
While most social networks have privacy settings, it is important to realize that friends can share posts on their personal social accounts which may not be subject to the same privacy restrictions. “The most important thing to keep in mind when it comes to social media is that every post gives recruiters a better picture of a candidate, and you want to make sure you’re putting your best foot forward,” said Challenger.
Finally, for the list of biggest possible social media offenses, Challenger provides the following breakdown of which content recruiters and employers find most problematic when vetting a candidate. In other words, if you want to get that new job, avoid any of the activities listed below.
Source : ZeroHedge
For only the best of ZeroHedge and articles relating to Steem, Follow me @Zer0Hedge
I don't have a social media account associated with my name and I wont. The idea that it indicates that I don't know new tech is laughable and idiciative of the superfical and childlike mentalities of gen y and millenial types that are found in hr. I have seen this in engineering practice time and time again.
Hr will be replaced because of its ineffectiveness to pick the right candidate. Whats on paper is not enough and neither is being impressed by a self promoter. Perhaps eth and smart contract software will end the need for hr.
When I was hired by my engineering firm i was interviewed by the boss.
Having a social media account associated with your name could help you if you keep it natural. It demonstrates the kind of person you are, so if you're hired and your employer has viewed your social media account, it means there's a higher chance you'll like your job.
Unfortunately I realise this, however I am not happy about being forced to use proprietary software to establish a relationship with a person or organisation. I am also not happy with the return I get for them selling my information, or profiling my entire life.
I would rather stuggle on my own merit, then succeed by being a "self promotor"
i wont get job if i am not on Steemit ?
Thank you
“Employers want to hire workers who can adapt to the changing technologies used in business. If they cannot find anything about you online, it could indicate that you are clueless about these emerging technologies or tentative to learn them."
Funny
Hello! I just upvoted you! I help new Steemit members! Upvote this comment and follow me! i will upvote your future posts! To any other visitor, upvote this post also to receive free UpVotes from me! Happy SteemIt! @farhanrafique
I really appreciate posts like this that tell a useful story (with data) and I look forward to seeing more of your content in the future. Remember, be yourself, because nobody else does it better -- Full #Steem ahead @zer0hedge :)
Much ❤
@Tayken
We do have to be careful what we post on social media, however social media had a hand in getting Trump elected. He benefits from it ( a lot of the time) now!
Great article. I think there are some generational issues as well that come into play. I have had interviews were they have your full social media profile, but these people do not do social media and are critical of minor issues like holding a beer at the lake with friends, like they never had a beer in their life. I am no longer in that corporate life and enjoy it much better without having to completely censor my facebook. That said, I keep it business casual on the facebook.
Great Post
Thank you for sharing
I don't even mess with Social Media. Only STEEM...but I don't consider STEEM the same as Facebook. Its more of a connection platform to find research tools and resources from which to gather insight.
It's like common fucking sense. Back in 2009 when I was outta work, people would start tagging me on Fakebook & shit posting stupid pics...I squashed that shit real fast & put all my privacy to the max. To this day I only use it for business because I've seen people lose jobs, not get jobs, destroy marriages & relationships...you name it that place is toxic.
This reminds me of local fellow Private Investigators. One wanted to meet to discuss possible work together. I asked him to review my online content beforehand, so that neither of us would be wasting our time. He never contacted me again.
A lot of people do not like it that I am very public about my defense of liberty. If my defense of liberty bothers you, I don't want to work with you anyway. Why would I? This concept goes both ways in other words.
I am not going to hide what I'm passionate about to get a different hamster wheel (job). It would be great to work with fellow liberty lovers too, not for people who have the opposite beliefs. This was one of the primary reasons I came up with the Liberty Professionals concept.
The goal was to create a place where employers and employees with similar life long objectives could get together. It would be like LinkedIn but for liberty lovers. The idea never really took off, but I still stand by it being a good one.
Thanks for all you do, @zer0hedge to further the cause. I know you're in the fight, and I respect and appreciate it!
I am only just getting started on being more into news related articles, but I must say this was a great, well written post. Thank you for sharing you definitely have another follower @zer0hedge
Congratulations @zer0hedge! You have completed some achievement on Steemit and have been rewarded with new badge(s) :
Click on any badge to view your own Board of Honor on SteemitBoard.
For more information about SteemitBoard, click here
If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word
STOPThis is like something out of the Circle by D. Eggers. If you haven't read it, it is the new 1984/Brave New World for the Millennial generation - or the part of it that reads at least.
I can't believe some employers think not being on social media is a negative thing, they must be brainwashed social media acolytes or surveillance control freaks. Regardless, you're better off not working for them.
Just look at the CNN meme-tastrophe. CNN knew full well that threatening to doxx a meme creator was effective, primarily because it has participated in riling up a load of violence-advocating anti-free speech zealots. Putting out his name would have been the equivalent of putting out a contract on his/her life.
If you are one of those not on social media and your employer asks why you aren't on social media, perhaps the best answer would be "I am not interested in using my real name or other identifiers on social media given the persecutory atmosphere regarding free speech and non-conformism."
fine