You might think your Facebook account is for friends and family only, but the truth is that hiring managers are doing everything they can to learn who you are before inviting you in for an interview. That’s why it’s so important to think of your social media presence as an integral part of your personal marketing. Start by using your real name on Facebook so that your interviewer can easily find you. You’ll need to actively manage your profile to make sure you are projecting a professional and engaged user. From there, you are on track to wowing your future employer.
Pick a Professional Profile Photo
How you present yourself on Facebook is a reflection of who you are as an individual. And while it might seem funny to your friends to have a silly profile photo, hiring managers likely won’t get the joke. No matter how tight your security settings are on Facebook, your profile picture is public so make sure that it presents you in a professional and approachable light. Remember that hiring managers more often than not hire people they want to work with, so make sure your profile picture doesn’t give them a reason to turn you down.
Align Your Resume with Work History
Resumes are very good at positioning your work experience as is relevant to the jobs you are applying for, but sometimes candidates are too quick to take liberties with that information. Make sure that your Facebook work history is in lock step with what you are sending out in resume format, because if an employer looks at your Facebook profile and is confused when it says you didn’t finish your degree or never worked for a particular employer, they won’t keep you around long enough to explain the discrepancy.
Rethink Your Security Settings
Some content on Facebook is meant for your friends. Some content is meant for your family. But do you know what your friends’ friends can see on your profile? What about someone not at all connected to you within the vast social network that is Facebook? Take some time to clean up and update your security settings so that prospective employers can see what you want them to see, and nothing more if necessary.
Filter Your Feed
In a similar vein, employers are interested in learning about what topics and groups you follow on Facebook. If you list odd or unprofessional interests on your profile, that might be a sign to an employer that you don’t take your digital presence seriously or that you are a different person than who you present yourself as in your resume. As more and more employers are doing their own research on prospective candidates, make sure they find you to be the professional and personable individual that they want to hire – even if they’re digging through your social media profiles rather than just your resume.
Find the Best Jobs in Tennessee with All-Star Personnel
The modern job hunt is a confusing journey, but with the right support, you will surely find the best fit for your future career. Connect with the career experts at All-Star Personnel today for the support you need to bring your dreams to life.