Open The Dialogue

A job candidate brings their resume, portfolio, and is dressed immaculately professional. After discussing their past job experiences and skills, a question arises that may leave a potential candidate floored – “Can you give me your login information to your Facebook account?”

As graduation is rapidly approaching for me, I’ve heard horror story after horror story of friends who have been asked this question on interviews. It is a complete eye-opener for those who haven’t even monitored what is on their page or what they are tweeting about.

It is has become substantially more important for anyone nowadays to clean up and polish their social network’s image. According to a Career Builder survey, 35% percent of employers reported they have found content on social networking sites that caused them not to hire the candidate, including:

• A candidate posted provocative or inappropriate photographs or information — 53%
• A candidate posted content about them drinking or using drugs — 44%
• A candidate bad-mouthed their previous employer, co-workers or clients — 35%
• A candidate showed poor communication skills — 29%
• A candidate made discriminatory comments — 26%
• A candidate lied about qualifications — 24%
• A candidate  shared confidential information from previous employer — 20%

So how can social media outlets be used to your advantage?

• Act professional– Showcasing your professional abilities on a network like Twitter can show how knowledgeable you are in your industry.
• Add personality - Adding more personal interests to the mix, like favorite recipes, exercises, books, etc. can add a flare that a resume can’t.
• Engage others – Actively interacting with others in a discussion about your industry or interests can demonstrate creative skills and the ability to work well with others.

Can you offer advice to upcoming graduates and job seekers, or add an experience of your own? We’d love to hear from you!