Social Media Awareness
The spring semester is typically when most students are actively searching for summer internships and post-graduation employment. While it is essential for your student to present themselves well when interviewing and interacting face-to-face with potential employers, they should also be mindful of their online presence. Whether it be Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, LinkedIn or any other popular site, social media posts can imply a lot about your student’s character and how they spend their time. Below are some things your student should keep in mind:
Does this post reflect your student’s core values? We often assume the things people are posting to their social media accounts are what is most important to them or how they often spend their time. The perception that is created online can often become others’ reality of who we are. With this in mind, urge your student to stop to consider how their posts may reflect who they are or what they stand for. A good rule to follow is the “grandma test,” where your student wouldn’t post anything that they wouldn’t want their grandma to see.
On the positive side, taking time to brag on a friend or promote a charity that your student supports can leave a great impression and speak volumes of their character. Remind them not to be afraid to emphasize the things they personally enjoy. For example, posting about a road trip with friends or family may show a company how much they love to travel. If the job they’re seeking requires a lot of travel, this may provide assurance that it is something your student is up for!
How does this impact your student’s professional image? Maintaining a professional image on social media can be more than just refraining from posting inappropriate content. When done well, this can be used as a tool to highlight how your student would fit into the culture of the company they hope to work for. A well-managed social media account can help to portray great communication skills, a well-rounded range of interests and a background that supports job qualifications. However, inappropriate content such as profanity, discriminatory comments, etc. can be detrimental to the job search. Other things employers look for include bad mouthing previous companies or coworkers, an unprofessional username and even proper grammar.
What are other people posting about your student or tagging them in? Not only should your student be aware of what they’re posting, but what others are posting about them as well. Encourage them to pay attention to the background of their pictures and what message it may send of the atmosphere they hang out it. While future employers may not intentionally judge your student by their friends, it’s always good to be aware of who is posting about your student and what they’re saying. There is nothing wrong with your student un-tagging themselves from an unflattering picture or inappropriate meme.
Don’t be completely absent on social media. After reading the tips above, you may be tempted to tell your student to delete or hide all social media accounts, but this is not the best course of action. According to CareerBuilder, 70% of employers use social media to screen candidates during the hiring process and 57% said they wouldn’t call a candidate for an interview if they have no online presence.
Source: www.forbes.com
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