- Presenting Yourself As A Poor Worker
On social media, you should be displaying the best version of yourself. Obviously, it’s important to present yourself professionally on sites like LinkedIn. However, you should also be aware that many of your posts will be visible on sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
One survey from CareerBuilder found that approximately 60% of employers spend time researching potential job candidates on social media. More than 50% of employers are wary of hiring people that don’t have an online presence. Companies want to see that you’ll fit in and that you can display yourself in a professional way so you should avoid social media mistakes. If that’s something you’re conveying on your social media profiles, you shouldn’t have any problems.
- Shutting Down Your Social Media
You might be tempted to delete or deactivate your social media profiles if you’re looking for a job. After all, this is an easy way to stay focused on job hunting and conceal embarrassing photos.
However, you shouldn’t give in to that temptation. Rather than deleting social media, you should try to treat it like a networking tool. Start following companies you want to work for on social media. Join LinkedIn groups so that you can make connections in your industry. On social media, you could find out about open positions and learn more about the companies you want to work for. You could even be contacted by recruiters.
- Not Proofreading
If you have spelling errors on your resume, no one is going to be interested in hiring you. These kinds of errors can make you look unprofessional.
Of course, this doesn’t just apply to resumes. Spelling and grammar errors can hurt your image on social media as well. Take the time to proofread everything you say online, even if you’re just sharing a silly meme. If your spelling and grammar are perfect, potential employers will see you in a more positive light. Proofreading doesn’t take much time, and it can pay off in a big way.
- Displaying Dual Personas
Obviously, you’re going to be more casual when you’re talking to friends on Facebook than you are on LinkedIn. You might be focused on sharing photos on Instagram, while Twitter might be where you go to discuss your favorite TV shows. You don’t have to display identical behavior on every social media platform. However, you should make sure you’re presenting yourself as the same person.
For example, you’ll want to make sure you’re using the same name on all of your social media accounts. If your name on Twitter is something like “LostFan2008,” it might be time to switch over to a different handle. When you’re selecting handles on social media, you shouldn’t go too crazy. Try to avoid puns and don’t use your job to define yourself. When in doubt, use your real name.
- Inconsistent Information
If you’re claiming that you five years of experience in finance, but are still wearing your Target uniform in your Facebook profile picture, employers are going to question what you’re saying. You should always be honest on your resume, and you should extend that honesty to your social media accounts. Avoid the temptation to lie about your qualifications. Remember, on the internet, it’s easier than ever for people to catch you in a lie.
