Paulette Chaffee Explains Why Those Applying for a Job Should Clean Up Their Social Media
Sep 20, 2022
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Technology has become integrated into many of our daily routines, from robot vacuums aiding household cleaning to mobile devices that enhance communication. Even the social aspect of the human experience has blended with technology as many turn to social media to share their lives on the internet and connect with new and old friends. Nowadays, social media and online activity are viewed by the professional world, too. Here, Paulette Chaffee, a teacher, speech therapist, and attorney, shares what employers look at when checking out a potential candidate’s social media and how job applicants can clean up their profiles to boost their hiring opportunities.
What is Social Media Screening?
When applying for jobs in today's career market, job applications with a resume, cover letter, and even a background check are not enough. Employers also commonly check out a job candidate's social media presence. The Manifest 2020 Recruitment Survey found that 98 percent of employers conduct online research on potential hires. In addition, a high percentage, 90 percent, of those employers checking social media activity believe that social media profiles are essential to consider when assessing job candidates.
Another survey by The Harris Poll in 2020 found that 70 percent of employers think that all companies should adopt social media screening into their hiring process. The same study also revealed that 78 percent of employers believe that an organization's current employees should have work-appropriate social media activity.
Given this information, it is critical for job applicants to prepare appropriately before applying to any company. Employers perform a social media screening at various stages during the hiring process, from job application submission to interviews. During a social media screening, employers look for any red flags that a potential job candidate's social media might have. Whoever is performing the social media scan will get to know a person through that individual's activity, such as likes, comments, shares, and posts. Common platforms companies review may include Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and TikTok.
What are Some Red Flags Employers Look for on Applicants’ Social Media?
Employers look for social media red flags such as any type of hate speech, use of drugs, inappropriate or explicit content, negative comments about previous employers, potential scam-like posts, threatening statements, or exploitation of confidential or sensitive information.
How Can Job Applicants Prepare for Social Media Scans?
The first step in preparing for a social media scan is to review all personal social media activity before starting a job application. Timing is everything when applying to jobs, so applicants should first “clean up” their social media activity, if necessary, before submitting their application.
Cleaning up social media involves deleting any activity an employer might deem inappropriate for professional culture. For example, the New Year’s Eve party pictures from college with alcohol consumption need to go. Job applicants do not want to just set all profiles to private or hidden, either. Hiring managers may also consider private profiles or no online presence a red flag, which could send a resume to the bottom of the pile. Employers also pay attention to how applicants present themselves to the online world, including communication style and grammar usage.
About Paulette Chaffee
Paulette Chaffee is an educator, children’s advocate, grants facilitator, lawyer, and member of various non-profit boards. She obtained bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Redlands in Communicative Disorders and a California Lifetime Teaching Credential. She is currently the Ambassador for Orange County 4th District and a board member of All the Arts for All the Kids.
Tags: English