Recruiters Are Looking at Your Social Media Accounts

During your job search, you probably work hard to ensure your resume presents you in your best light. But what about your social media accounts? Recruiters are likely to view your social media profiles and images to find out more about you, so it's important to ensure they're not turned off by what they see.

According to a recent survey, 92 percent of recruiters admitted turning to social media to help them find high-quality candidates for the roles they need to fill, and almost 70 percent of recruiters admit to rejecting candidates based on the content on their social media profiles. These statistics make it clear that you can't afford to present yourself online in an unprofessional light.

Recruiters use social media first and foremost to check the claims you make on your resume. If your resume states you have years of experience working in marketing but your social media profile doesn't back that up, recruiters may get suspicious. On the other hand, a recruiter who finds blog posts that showcase your expertise in your field is likely to be impressed.

Recruiters not only check out your social media profiles to find out about your knowledge and experiences. They also want to see how you conduct yourself online. If recruiters see posts bad-mouthing your former boss, employers may be reluctant to take you on. They won't want to end up in the same position if your relationship with the company doesn't work out. Moan all you want about your boss to friends in private messages, but keep your public profiles professional.

Employers also want to be sure you won't cause a scandal. When an employee of a company makes a racist comment or commits a crime, it can reflect very badly on the brand. For this reason, you should avoid making intolerant comments on social media if you are looking for a job. Even if you're not currently involved in a job search, it's never a good idea to admit to doing anything illegal on social media, such as taking drugs.

Recruiters don't expect you to be a corporate drone on social media. A few pictures of you enjoying drinks with your friends are unlikely to be much of a turn-off. In fact, this type of personal content can show that you are a warm and connected human being with a good work-life balance. Just don't let inappropriate content raise a red flag on your profile.

If you have risqué or misleading content on your social media profiles, it might be time for an overhaul. Unbeknownst to you, inappropriate content might be turning recruiters off. Replace anything negative with content that portrays you as an honest, professional person who is an expert in your field.

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