Diploma? Check! Now what?

You are in your last semester of college, preparing to graduate with your all-prestigious degree. As you get closer to taking your last finals, it is time to start considering where you are going to work. Having an effective resume is crucial to landing your first “adult” job, but employers look at more than just what is presented at your initial nerve-wracking interview.

In today’s workplace, employers are turning to social media accounts to determine whether or not they want to hire a candidate for a position. “It’s not just about looking looking the part when you are in the office, you have to look the part when you are off the clock as well,” said Carol Roberts, President and CEO of the Bay County Chamber of Commerce. Employers are now looking at social media accounts before they call prospects  for an interview to ensure it is someone they even want to consider. This is your first impression to the employer whether you are aware of it or not.

“As the popular saying goes, ‘you never get a second change to make a first impression,’ Kim Bodine the Executive Director of CareerSource Gulf Coast, said. “It may sound cliche, but it is absolutely true. That  once meant that when you first met someone, you had better be prepared to impress them, particularly if you wanted them to hire you.”   Employers need to know that the people that work for them are able to represent the organization in a positive and professional manner at all times. This is why hiring managers look at the content of posts by prospects on social media to ensure their company will not be negatively impacted.

In recruiting platform Jobvite’s 2016 edition of its annual Social Recruiting Survey data show 93 percent  of hiring managers review a candidate’s social profiles before making a hiring decision. This report shows that 47 percent of employers view posts of alcohol consumption negatively on social media. Also considered negative by Jobvite, typos in posts by 72 percent  of employers and marijuana by 71 percent  of employers. “It can and does keep many people from ever getting a chance to sell themselves in person,” Bodine said.  That may not seem fair, but it’s a fact.”

So what can you do to ensure social media helps you instead of hurting you? First, remove any negative images from your profiles. This includes any images of you “partying,” drinking, using recreational drugs, wearing revealing clothing, and participating in illegal activities. Employers want  to ensure you will be a good reflection of their company. Therefore, they want  to see professionalism portrayed in everything you do.

Second, clean up your posts.  Any post that is negative towards a person or individual can be seen as harmful when it comes to landing your next big job.  It is crucial that employers see you can stay professional and “keep your cool” when you are upset.  Therefore, it is best to follow the widely-known rule, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”  Remove or edit posts that contain slang or typos.  Effective communication is a must in today’s job market.  If employers believe you are unable to effectively communicate in a professional manner on social media, it is likely they will think you will be unable to communicate professionally in the office when representing the company.

Third, show engagement. This is something most people are not sure how to do. Showing engagement is more than just commenting on friends’ posts, it means showing how you are active in the community. Candidates who show they are volunteering and investing in their community are more likely to be chosen  for a position than people who do not. Showing you are active in the community will show the employer you care about your community and that you are investing in the future.

“People who are truly serious about beginning their career should start with their social media,” Roberts said. “If they are not careful about what they are posting, they will never get the job they want.”

Therefore, ensure you are ready for your first job by making a positive, lasting first-impression. The impression you give on social media could be the deciding factor in obtaining your first position in your career.

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