How Your Online Presence Can Affect Your Job Search

How Your Online Presence Can Affect Your Job Search How Your Online Presence Can Affect Your Job Search PinThere’s no doubt that there is increased competition in the labor market, and because of this, recruiters are turning to social media more than ever to find or evaluate potential candidates. In fact, according to a recent survey done by Jobvite, 93 percent of recruiters use or plan to use social media to support their recruiting efforts. This means your online presence can affect your job search in either a positive or negative way. So what does that mean for those on the hunt for a job? Two things: utilize the benefits of social media, but also be cognizant of how your social media profiles can affect your job hunt.   If you learn to leverage your social profiles and network correctly, you can position yourself above other candidates. In fact, 55 percent of recruiters have reconsidered a candidate based on their social profile. Here are a few ways to make sure your online presence is prepared for your job hunt: Keep Your Pages Clean If you haven’t already done so, clean up for your social media profile pages before you start applying for jobs. First, make sure there are no unbecoming photos of you. A good rule of thumb is to refrain from having any photos of you acting in a way that could be construed as inappropriate or could paint you in an unflattering light. Second, keep your political views non-existent. Even though social media is designed for expressing yourself, displaying these views could seriously sway a recruiter on whether you would be a good cultural fit for the company, regardless of how qualified you are for the job. Third, review your status updates. Remove any complaints about your job or former employer, or any negative statuses in general. By cutting down on the complaints and negativity on your social profiles, you’ll paint a picture of an optimistic and positive candidate.   Not ready to purge your social media profiles? Simply adjust your privacy settings on your profiles to a level that makes you feel comfortable. Maintain a Good Reputation Online Dan Schawbel, author of Me 2.0, says, “Your first impression isn’t made with a firm handshake- it’s with a Google search.” Make sure your first impression online is a reputable one. As recruiters search for your name on Google, they’ll be looking at not only your social profiles but other public information that pops up about you. What if nothing pops up? That’s a good thing, right? Not exactly. “If you’re nowhere to be found on Google, employers may question whether you have kept up with the latest trends or are qualified for a job that requires minimal digital skills, says Dorie Clark, a blogger for Harvard Business Review. Start by Googling yourself to see what you can find. If you find nothing, a good way to start building an impressive online reputation is to blog about the industry you’re looking to jump into. For example, if you’re looking for a job in fashion, start a blog about the latest fashion trends or review your favorite designers. This way, you’ll position yourself as engaged in the industry, a key component recruiters look for. Social media is a unique tool for recruiters. They can now uncover mutual connections, evaluate skills by reviewing written or design work, and assess a candidate’s personality for a cultural fit within the company. If you leverage social media to brand yourself as a professional, knowledgeable, and personable candidate, you’ll stand out as top contender for whatever position you seek. Readers, did you know that your online presence could affect your job search? What do you do to keep your profiles job search ready? Share with us below! Andrea Duke lives in Atlanta and works as a communications specialist for  PGi, a leading global provider of collaboration software and services for over 20 years. PGi is constantly innovating, developing new technologies to make virtual meetings easier and more productive than ever before. Learn more at PGi’s blog,  The Future of Business Collaboration.