Just because it’s spooky season doesn’t mean you should leave a haunting online presence. Employers increasingly check candidates’ social media, and these checks can actually play a role in whether you land the job of your dreams. Let’s take a look at some practical tips on cleaning up your digital footprint to ensure it reflects the professional image you want to portray.
Change Your Social Media Settings
Potential employers don’t need to see photos of you drinking with your friends or posing in a teeny bikini. Set your Facebook, Instagram, and other profiles to Private or Friends Only. Consider creating separate professional pages, especially if you’re in a creative field where employers might like to see samples of your work.
Level up Your LinkedIn
Increasingly, employers spend longer reading candidates’ LinkedIn profiles than their resumes. So you’ll want to make yours shine. Here are a few tips:
- Fully complete your profile
- Choose a professional, high-resolution headshot
- Use keywords strategically
- Highlight your skills and accomplishments
- Quantify your successes with numbers and percentages
- Network with thought leaders and industry professionals
- Post high-quality, engaging content that is relevant to your industry
Google Yourself
Did you write an embarrassing blog when you were 13? Maybe you had a public fight with your ex-best friend at 21 or posted some less-than-flattering photos during your bachelor party. Remember, on the internet, content lives on forever. Run your name through a few different search engines, being sure to include common misspellings and to search for images as well as text. Take down any unprofessional content that you own, and contact others to ask them to remove problematic photos of you or posts you’ve made.
Create New Content
Search engine algorithms tend to prioritize newer content, and most employers won’t dig through too many pages of results. If you’re trying to overcome a difficult digital past, do what you can to replace older search results with new, professional content. Writing a new blog and posting on industry forums can go a long way toward improving your digital footprint.
Ready for your next role?
Cardinal Staffing has been matching candidates across Ohio and Michigan with just the right administrative positions for over 30 years. With deep roots in these areas, we’re experts on the local job markets. If you’re ready to take the next steps in your administrative career, contact us to learn more or start searching for your next position today!