“Hey, I Know You!” How Social Media Could Ruin Your Chance of Landing That Job
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I know your likes and dislikes. I know how you spend your weekends and where you go on vacations. I know who your friends are, and I know your family. I know where you went to school and where you live. I know the things that interest you and the things that are important to you. I know all of this about you without my ever having to ask. More importantly, I know that I do not want to hire you.

Just like that, you have taken yourself out of the running, and have closed doors to employment possibilities.

Social media is a powerful tool when used properly, allowing candidates to connect and network with individuals with whom they would otherwise not meet. However, employers scour social media to vet potential candidates, and for the unaware, this can provide disastrous when job hunting. Consider the last interview that you thought you nailed. Were you waiting for a callback that never materialized?

Review your recent posts. Were your posts negative or positive? Did you give a compliment or did you cut someone down? Were you encouraging or disparaging?

Far too often I have seen posts that are TMI (too much information) for the general public. What are you saying about your company, boss, co-workers, friends, and family? Whether you want to believe it or not, you are creating a public image of yourself with your social media postings. Public rants can define your personality. Provided below are some common topics that emerge on social media, and how your complaints might be viewed by an employer:
  • Are you posting public rants about a restaurant, store, or the office? Seemingly harmless posts can say volumes about you. Such posts might result in you being viewed as entitled and not a positive addition to a team.
  • Ranting about your boss or your job? Potential employers may not be keen to hire a complainer and whiner who is going to discourage other qualified applicants from applying with their company.
  • Similarly, complaining about your coworkers may demonstrate that you are not a team player and may become a morale problem for staff.
  • Airing your families’ dirty laundry? Potential employers might question your discretion, judgment, and ability to be discreet.
  • Are you ranting about nothing specific– just everyday life? This may be the worse. Potential employers are looking for people who will help contribute to the solutions and not for those who will point out every day inconveniences.
As a suggestion, consider vetting your posts. Better yet, do not post while in a rage. Take time to cool down, and if you really must, I suggest you revisit the matter with a different perspective. Remember, social media is a tool to communicate and connect with people. The only thing that a rant communicates is your bad side.