You're Stalked!
It's quite obvious to everybody that the recruiters are looking at your LinkedIn page but what about your other social media platforms? You know, the ones where you post pictures of your latest trip, share what you had for dinner and occasionally take your friends. You might wonder why a recruiter would possibly be interested in viewing things like that.
The answer is probably, those personal details are precisely why recruiters and hiring managers watch applicants’ social media accounts. ”It can help them get a more accurate idea about who you are outside of your résumé” Hallie Crawford says. A résumé can tell them your qualifications, but your social media profile can help them determine your personality type and if you would be good fit for company culture.
Csilla Ember, owner of Chill Home Studio
Here is a short breakdown of what recruiters look at and what they are aiming to check:
Facebook:
They are focusing on two sections on your Facebook page – about me section and your photo albums (also the photos that you are tagged in)
In about me section they want to see how you describe yourself and if it matches up with how you have described yourself in your cover letter and résumé. Any matches or discrepancies could cost you points pre-interview. They will also look for proper spelling and grammar.
In your photo albums or among the photos that you're tagged in a hiring manager will be checking not only your photos but also your descriptions. It's important that hiring managers sees that you represent yourself in a professional way. To come off in the most positive premeeting light, you will want to avoid using profanity, or any inappropriate references
Instagram:
The first thing they will want to see on your Instagram is how friendly and social you seem to be with your followers. Your overall profile will definitely give them insight into your personal relationships and if you would be a good cultural fit for the company.
You probably figured that they will look at your photos too, right? But recruiters are looking to see more than your photography skills. They will want to see how you represent yourself. For example if you're at a party, do you represent yourself in a dignified way,or do you post things that others would consider inappropriate...
Twitter:
In all social media platforms including Twitter, recruiters like to see if you have any mutual connections and if you're connected with others in your industry. Following others in your industry is a smart thing to do no matter what. Recruiters will also be checking to see if you share useful information. If you share information relevant to your trade, or if you just use tweets to fight with others...
Olia Yermilova, Owner of The Balloon Budapest
Action plan
Review all photos that you have posted, delete the ones that are not relevant or appropriate
Replace your main photos, especially your profile picture with a professional photo
Go through your liked pages, recent comments in your logged activity and get rid of the ones that are not related
Start sharing industry related informative sentences and articles
Be social and friendly with your content and comments