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The Dangers of Social Media: Ways to Use and not Abuse your favorite websites!
You’ve probably heard of “social media” right? Its a buzz word that has been going around for years now after popular sites like Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter and more have surfaced as avenues for people to express who they are and how they feel to others around the world. The odds are so great that I’m willing to wager that both you and I have used a social media site today or will use one within minutes of reading this!

And if we use them…GUESS WHAT?! SO DO EMPLOYERS!

“A survey commissioned by the online employment website CareerBuilder has found that 37 percent of hiring managers use social networking sites to research job applicants, with over 65 percent of that group using Facebook as their primary resource.” -huffingtonpost.com

The same survey also showed that, “only 15 percent of companies had policies in place that explicitly prohibited human resources department from using the sites as a hiring resource.”

Bottom Line:  Whether you like it or not, companies are using social networks to screen job applicants. The hirers usually use these sites in order to get a more personal view of a candidate, rather than the resume-like view they will see on LinkedIn. This means that it is important to carefully manage your image on these types of sites. Lets take a second to make sure you’re using these sites appropriately and not HURTING your chances of nailing that dream job or internship!

2 Things you want to remain aware of while using the internet in a social way…

  1. EVERYTHING IS PUBLIC!
     Remember that what you put online can be saved, traced and used against you. You should stay clear of posting the party photos from St. Patty’s weekend online if you care about a potential employer seeing them. At the very least you should be aware of your privacy settings and what you’re allowing people to access from your accounts.

  2.  Facebook & Twitter can ruin you!

    Though there are many sites online nowadays,..these are the most popular and by contrast the most dangerous! No one is trying to strip these popular social media sites of their valor, but proceed with caution. Regularly check your privacy settings and THINK before you post. On the CareerBuilder survey it was reported that 76% of employers use both of these sites to consider a candidate. Take home message: BE SMART!

Takeaway: 

Hirers are looking at the social networking profiles of candidates. This means that YOU, the  job seeker, need to have your online act in order before you begin looking for a job.

P.S: Take a look at this really easy and cool breakdown of the CareerBuilder survey results

Still interested? Check out this cool blog featured on Forbes’ website on ways to use social media to land a job. –> CLICK HERE
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Friends vs. Foes: “Social Media in your Career Search” Edition

Social Media seems to be the buzz word of this century. Everywhere you look, brands are touting their online presence in order to connect with their customers in a deep, more interactive way.  As you’re in the midst of searching for a job or internship, it’s important to realize how your social media activity reflects the personal brand you’re trying to convey to potential employers. Thus, here are our Friends & Foes in the social media world.

Best Friend: LINKEDIN

Get a LinkedIn….. Did you get a LinkedIn yet? …. How about now?

Now you may ask: why does LinkedIn need to be my BFF? On a basic level, LinkedIn is the Facebook of the corporate world: it’s a networking platform, an online resume and a career searching tool in ONE. Bob McIntosh of Things Career Related lays out 10 facts you should know about this social media site in order to boost your career search. Here are the highlights: [Find the complete article here]

  • Choose a PROFESSIONAL looking profile photo
  • Don’t sweat the number of “friends”…. It’s about making connections, not just numbers!
  • List something in your work history, even if it’s a job or internship unrelated to your desired industry
  • PROOFREAD…. Spelling errors count on online profiles too
  • Link your blog or professional works to your page!

FRENEMY: Facebook & Twitter

No one is trying to strip these popular social media sites of their valor, but proceed with caution. Regularly check your privacy settings and THINK before you post. It’s not a myth that many HR recruiters and employers actively seek out their candidates on search engines and/or social media platforms to get a better sense of who they may hire. Try googling yourself as a baseline check. Our message is by no means telling you to delete your accounts… in fact, some media, communications and PR positions want you to access Facebook for market research on consumer companies! Take home message: BE SMART!

FRIEND: The Bloggosphere

Blogging signifies your knowledge of online platforms (WordPress, BlogSpot, etc) and willingness to put your ideas and writing style in the public eye. As long as your content is not inappropriate, your blog posts can also show a side of your personality that might not emerge during the interview process.

 

POTENTIAL MORTAL ENEMY: Facebook Open Graph

Although we already listed Facebook as a “frenemy,” we felt the need to re-list it as the potential “Darth Vader” of the Social Media world, especially in light of new technology. As of this month, Facebook’s new search optimization tool “Open Graph” allows Facebook users to perform detailed searches and virtually target any of your information not explicitly set to private, according to The Social Media Monthly.  Based on the current “Privacy Settings” format, here are some recommendations you should consider ASAP!

Under “Who Can See My Stuff”:

  • Change Who Can See Your Future Posts?from “Everyone” to “Friends”
  • Set Review all of your posts and things you’re tagged in to “Activity Log” so you can pre-approve posts before they show up on your Timeline
  • Under Limit the Audience for posts you’ve shared with friends of friends or the public, click “Limit Past Posts” ….That way you’re past posts are private!

Under “Who Can Look Me Up”

  • For Who can look you up using the email address or phone number you provided, it is really up to you. We’d recommend “Friends of Friends” at a bare minimum, so you don’t have random people stalking you via your contact info
  • Set Do You Want Other Search Engines to link to your timeline, PRESS “OFF” (This one is KEY)

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The take-home message:  Enjoy social media, but think about your audience!