What College Graduates Need To Know About Social Media In The Workplace

Aspiring college graduates will soon be walking across the stage and accepting their long-awaited degrees. As tassels turn from right to left, these newly minted alumni will either begin their job search or embark upon a new career. Having grown up in the age of social media, these young 20-somethings are well connected and wield that power to shape their narratives online. While their social media fluency can give them a competitive advantage, it can also be the barrier between getting the job they want or losing the one they already have.

In fact, employers’ use of social media to screen job candidates is at an all-time high. In 2017, a national survey conducted on behalf of CareerBuilder found that 70% of the more than 2,300 hiring managers and human resource professionals polled use social media to screen job candidates during the hiring process. This is a considerable jump from only 11% in 2006. At least 30% have someone dedicated to researching social media profiles of job candidates.

 

What Are Employers Looking For?

So, what are recruiters looking for when researching candidates online? Ideally, they are looking to see if the candidate has a professional online presence and if there is information that would support the qualifications for the job they are filling. But employers aren’t just looking to social media for information. They are looking at the lack of it as well. Research shows that 69% of those surveyed used online search engines such as Google, Yahoo, and Bing for additional information. If no profiles are found, employers are less likely to call the applicant in for an interview.

But don’t assume that managers are just trying to dig up dirt on potential applicants. They are also looking for information that can give the candidate an advantage. Twenty-nine percent of the surveyed hiring managers found something positive on a profile that led them to offer the job.

 

What Should Grads Consider and New Hires Do?

Think before you post. Social media is an excellent tool to use to network with potential employers, demonstrate mastery of your chosen field, and promote your achievements. Once employed, it becomes one of many tools you can use to build your personal brand online and cultivate career advancement opportunities. In general, social media is a great way to stay connected to family and friends and engage in global conversations.

But, there is no such thing as privacy on social media (despite privacy settings). Exercise good judgment and think before you post. It is vital to the health of your career.

So, avoid these mistakes when posting online:

• Provocative or inappropriate photographs, videos, etc.
• Illegal drugs or excessive drinking
• Criminal behavior
• Discriminatory comment related to race, gender or religion
• Political rants
• Complaining about current or previous company or co-workers

While this list is not exhaustive, it does give you an idea of how to discipline your online behavior both before and during employment.

 

Key Takeaway

Today, most companies have a social media policy to govern employee behavior on social media, but it could impact personal social behavior as well. Even content posted on a personal profile can have a negative effect on your career at that company and future opportunities with other firms. Of the HR professionals surveyed by CareerBuilder, 34% found content online that resulted in either reprimanding or firing the employee.

So, if there is ever a question about whether something is appropriate to post on social media, err on the side of caution and don’t post it. Don’t share it. Tell people don’t tag you in it. Use social media skillfully and responsibility and it can work in your favor.