A few years back the company I worked for made a difficult hiring decision. They chose not to hire a qualified candidate for a hard-to-fill position because of something they found on the internet. I don’t know the details of what they found, but I do know that it was something this candidate had personally posted and it was concerning enough that it resulted in a rescinded job offer.
That was over ten years ago. During a time when the world of personal expression on the World Wide Web was new and mostly unexplored. When researching job candidates online was mostly unheard of.
Cut to today, a time when not having an online presence in some form or fashion – be it through Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest, WordPress, Tumblr, Blogger, and the list goes on – is atypical. And a time when prospective employers “Google” candidates on a regular basis to learn things about them that the standard resume and cover letter won’t reveal.
I know this because I’ve done it. And I know colleagues who have done it. Also, it is a two-way street. I know candidates who looked me up before submitting their cover letter and resume to me. In one particular case that tactic backfired because their cover letter said way too much about me and not enough about them. A little stalker-ish really. [Sidebar: please don’t do that…]
The reality is that today we’re living life online. Information is readily available to anyone with a computer and a search field, and companies are taking full advantage of it in their talent acquisition practices. Here we are – smack in the middle of the Information Age. But sadly many of us forget or are oblivious to this fact and the growing reality that what we do in the virtual world bleeds into our physical world…and our careers.
For example, a colleague recently relayed a concern about a friend’s daughter who had just turned 21 and celebrated her birthday as many newly minted 21-year-olds do: she drank and drank and posted photos of her drinking, as well as the results thereof, online.
This particular 21-year-old wants to be a school teacher. My colleague is concerned, and I don’t blame him, that a prospective employer will run across these photos and think twice about hiring her. And should that 21-year old be surprised?
Now, I’m not suggesting that we should live perfect lives and not do the normal things that humans do. Certainly not. But what I am suggesting is that we accept the reality that when the time comes to enter (or transition within) the workforce everything we post online affects our career prospects as well as our career longevity.
So, what do we do about it? What’s the solution? Simple. Manage your online presence.
Social Media Self-Management is the new Career Skill that you need right now. Here are three easy questions to ask that’ll put you on the path to success:
- Is my email address professional or a little too personal?
- I’ll admit it, my first email address was BigAl92678@aol.com. Do you see all the things that are wrong with this? I’ve also been the recipient of resumes from addresses like hotlips@yahoo.com. Good one.
- Want something professional? Try [firstname][lastname]@[freeaccount.com].
- Same goes for any username through which you plan to communicate with an employer. Take a look at your Twitter handle, and more.
- Do my status updates mean something or am I a vaguebooker?
- Vaguebooking is, sadly, a popular form of online expression. As defined by UrbanDictionary.com it means “an intentionally vague Facebook status update, that prompts friends to ask what’s going on, or is possibly a cry for help.” For example: “wondering if it is all worth it” or “thinking that was a bad idea.”
- The posts that add the most value are those that send a clear message, are informational, and keep it positive. Speaking of which, you should also avoid “hatebooking.” No one likes a hater.
These ideas also apply to blogging, comments, and any other virtual place where you can leave your digital opinions.
- Are my photos pleasing or off-putting?
- This one is easy. Keep your photos PG, or at the very least PG-13.
- You don’t have to be buttoned-up and stuffy; in fact keeping it light and fun is good. We “professional types” also like to have fun…but those of us who are concerned with our professional images understand balance and moderation. No need for extremes.
- Same goes for videos.
Today we live life out loud and online. That’s the new normal. But because someday we want someone to hire us, we need to be smart about how we do it. In the end, I’m just saying please pay attention. For your own good. Think twice before posting something you’ll later regret or that may make the difference between an offer letter and a rejection letter.
In closing, I know a student who once made a difficult, but very wise decision. He deleted his long-standing and popular Facebook account and started up a new one. Why? Because he looked at his account through the lens of a prospective employer and recognized that even he wouldn’t hire him. He knew he needed a restart. That was a wise Social Media Self-Management move. Companies have Social Media Strategies. Why shouldn’t you?
Did I miss any good tips? Leave your ideas below.
[Images: business2community.com; laboracademy.org; someecards.com]
Alan D Utley 