Could Your Facebook Profile Cost You A Potential Job?

When you apply for a job, you can assume that a recruiter will be viewing your online portfolio and LinkedIn page, but chances are they’ll also be viewing you on Facebook. A recent LiveCareer survey found that 74% of recruiters and hiring managers verified the online presence of potential candidates on the social media platform – even more than LinkedIn, which was verified by 56%.

To verify: Don’t Miss Your Favorite Small Business Nomination To Be Featured On GOBankingRates – Ends May 31

“Facebook still seems to remain the most popular and natural platform for personal presence,” said Weronika Cekala, career expert at LiveCareer. “It allows recruiters to see his personality, without the Instagram filters and the professionalism of LinkedIn. These private aspects are precisely why recruiters and hiring managers monitor candidates’ Facebook accounts. It can help them get a more transparent idea of ​​who you are outside of your resume – a closer look at who you are.

Find out: Does your LinkedIn profile need a makeover?

Along with wanting to understand your personality better, recruiters will be looking for red flags – and if they spot them, you probably won’t make it to the next phase of the application process.

Types of red flags on your Facebook profile

According to recruiters and hiring managers, the main red flags they look for on social media profiles are discriminatory comments related to race, gender or religion (66% said they is a red flag), provocative or inappropriate content (57%), content about alcohol or drug use (57%) and disparagement or sharing of confidential information about former employers or colleagues from work (51%).

Extreme political views were seen as a red flag by only 36% of recruiters, and only 31% saw bad language as a red flag. While these percentages are low, it’s always best to avoid this type of content because you won’t know what the recruiter viewing your page thinks about these potential red flags.

“Recruiters are looking for red flags that tell them you might not necessarily be a good person in their offices,” Cekala said.

Prepare now: The 10 most common interview questions – and how to answer them

Consider cleaning up your Facebook profile before applying for jobs

If you’ve recently posted something to your News Feed that could potentially be a red flag – or if other people have posted this kind of content on your wall – you should consider deleting the posts when you’re actively applying. to jobs. But it’s not just your wall that recruiters will be looking at.

“Outside of the main wall, be sure to polish two sections of your Facebook profile – ‘About Me’ and the photo albums, as recruiters and hiring managers tend to focus their efforts on those,” Cekala said. “In the ‘About me’ section, they’ll check your spelling and grammar as well as your self-description. A common practice among recruiting professionals is to take the way you describe yourself on social media and compare it with a cover letter and resume description. When it comes to your photo albums, recruiters will not only check your photos but also your comments as it will let them know if you are presenting yourself in a professional manner. To come out in the best light before the interview, avoid using questionable references.

Read more: Obstacles that different generations face in their job search

Use your Facebook profile as another avenue for self-promotion

Besides cleaning your profile from red flags, you can also add things to your profile to impress potential recruiters – after all, most of them will watch it.

“A resume can tell recruiters your qualifications, but your Facebook account can help them learn more about who you are and decide if you would be a good addition to their business. Use it as your secret weapon to gain their favor, ”Cekala said. “It’s always good to share initiatives or charities that interest you, whether they are directly related to work or not. You can also share industry news with your comments to show that you are on top of business trends.

To verify: What it’s like to look for a job during a pandemic

“Personally, I love posting my latest posts on the Facebook wall so that my friends can use the tips and express their thoughts,” she continued. “Sharing your professional achievements on your private social networks shows that work is an important part of your life and that it will certainly leave a good impression on a potential employer. “

Should you make your Facebook profile private?

Having your Facebook profile accessible to recruiters is a double-edged sword. Red flags on your public profile could cost you a potential job, but using it as another way to show off your personality and professionalism could help you take the next phase of the application process. So, is it better to make it private just to be on the safe side?

Tips: How to interview for a job while wearing a mask

“On the one hand, making your Facebook profile private can indicate that you have something to hide, and it’s definitely not an impression you want to leave on a potential employer,” Cekala said. “On the other hand, sometimes the best solution is to leave certain things a secret, especially if you don’t know what the ins and outs of your Facebook wall are. If you are unsure of what is on your profile but don’t want to stay hidden, let someone monitor your social media accounts before you apply. Your friends and family can let you know privately if something you post is negative.

More from GOBankingTaux

Last updated: May 4, 2021