Do you have an optimized Online Presence ?

The next time you upload pictures of your friend’s crazy bachelor party on Facebook, pause and think before you post them. Do you really want your prospective employers to see these pictures? You do, of course, have the option of ‘hiding’ your posts; however, experts largely agree that your social media profile does influence their hiring decisions. As Alf Harris, regional director, Michael Page India, points out, “Recently, a young Belgian football fan, hired by a leading beauty brand after being spotlighted by TV cameras, had her contract cancelled as a result of negative publicity from photos on her Facebook page. This is an extreme example but it highlights how aware people should be when using social media.” Then there’s the case of a drunk candidate who rammed his car into a median and promptly put up the image on his Facebook page. Clearly, his prospective employer was not amused and he never got the interview call for the opening.

So what are some of the things that candidates must avoid posting on social media platforms if they are serious about getting hired? Srikanth Rengarajan, executive director and president, Manpower Group India, says, “References about using illegal drugs and guns, negative comments about previous employers, posts of a sexual nature and use of profanity, discriminatory comments related to race, gender or religion, lying about jobs, photographs of alcohol consumption and other inappropriate images, must be avoided on any public forum.” Bad spelling and grammar are other pet peeves of employers. Cryptic messages related to your personal life and problems can also be a turn-off as employers could get the impression that you are not emotionally stable.

Harris adds, “First impressions count. With social media, one does not have control over the number of people able to form opinions. This can magnify a thousand fold. The more information you give, the more your professional employer can know about you. So you must ensure you are clear in your message. What works and makes an impact with your friends on social media may not be what your future employer will see. People are responsible for what they want to feature on their social media profile. It is their responsibility to manage it and be aware of the potential risks if they are over-exposed. Customise and ensure your image and brand reflect the professional aspects you wish to convey.”