In today’s digital world where almost everything you do online can be traced and tracked, employers have the ability to look beyond your resumé and into your personal life through your online presence. This means that what you share, post, and comment online can either work for or against you when it comes to landing that dream job. In this blog post, we’ll explore whether or not your personal online presence affects your chances of getting hired.
Your Social Media Accounts Matter – Now more than ever, social media accounts such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have become crucial tools for job seekers. However, while they can be used to showcase your skills and successes, they can also be a double-edged sword if not managed properly. Employers are always on the lookout for information that can help them understand who you are as a person and your suitability for a role. This means that if your social media accounts are loaded with posts that are racist, sexist, or offensive, your chances of getting hired may drop significantly.
Your Personal Brand is Important – In today’s competitive job market, it’s important to differentiate yourself from other candidates by highlighting your unique selling points (USPs) and showcasing your personal brand. Your online presence plays a vital role in this regard, as it can help you stand out from the crowd. Whether it’s a blog, vlog, or portfolio website, having an online presence where you showcase your skills, achievements, and values can help you attract potential employers.
Background Checks are Common – Employers today are investing more time and resources into conducting employee background checks, which often include a review of your online presence. A single inappropriate post or tweet can instantly damage your reputation and cost you a job offer. While you may think you’ve deleted a post or image, there’s always a chance that copies or screenshots may exist. That’s why it’s important to think twice before posting anything online, as it may resurface years down the line.
Privacy Settings Are Not Always Enough – Many people believe that setting their social media profiles to private will protect them from prying eyes. However, this is far from the truth, as there are many tools and techniques that can be used to bypass privacy settings. Additionally, anything that you share or post online can be easily shared or reposted by someone else, even if you did not intend it to be seen. Therefore, it’s important to always think twice before posting anything online, as it can come back to haunt you.
There is a Positive Side – While it’s true that your online presence can hurt your chances of getting hired, it can also work in your favor. A well-managed online presence that showcases your skills, values, and achievements can make you stand out in a sea of candidates. Additionally, being active on online platforms such as LinkedIn can help you network with potential employers, learn about new job openings, and build relationships with industry experts.
Your personal online presence can significantly impact your chances of getting hired. While there are many positive aspects to having an online presence, it’s important to manage it carefully, as it can easily backfire. Job seekers should be aware of the things they share, post, or comment online, and should always think twice before hitting that ‘publish’ button. By managing your personal brand and online presence carefully, you can stand out from the crowd and increase your chances of landing that dream job.
About Job Skills
For 35 plus years, Job Skills has been delivering solutions to job seekers and moving people into sustainable, meaningful employment. Throughout their long history, Job Skills has recognized that not every job seeker is the same. There is no one size fits all employment program. That’s why the Job Skills vision is building an inclusive society where all people are ensured equitable opportunities to fulfill their career aspirations and participate fully in the community.
Job Skills’ employment specialists are there to answer any of your employment questions. Job Skills‘ staff offer solutions to all job seekers, including youth, newcomers, mature workers, persons with disabilities, and entrepreneurs. Job Skills’ knowledgeable team can help you make educated decisions, set goals, and create a strategy to help you become happier in your career. Job Skills works with local employers creating employment opportunities for Job Skills’ clients.
Thanks to government funding, Job Skills’ programs and services are free to all users. Job Skills have locations across Keswick, Stouffville, Markham, Brampton, and Mississauga. Job Skills also offers virtual services for community members unable to attend one of our offices for in-person activities.
Find your employment solution today. Visit www.jobskills.org
