Don’t Make a Grave Mistake with Your Social Media Presence

A strong social media presence can enhance your success in connecting with an employer, whether you are looking for internship opportunities, a permanent position, or simply want to grow your professional network. However, a misstep can haunt your efforts and even spook potential employers or contacts.

SHRM President and Chief Executive Officer Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP, in his “Ask HR” column for USA Today, advised making smart social media choices.

“Cleaning up or ‘scrubbing’ your online image does not mean you need to change everything about who you are,” he wrote.

“It just means you may need to be more intentional about how you post or what you share (and with whom).?… Before you post something, consider whether it matches the online presence you wish to uphold. If a hiring manager brought it up in an interview, would you be able to comfortably explain why you posted it? Be intentional about your social media presence, and it will be an asset in your career and life.”

Among his recommendations:

• Google yourself.?Search for?your name, online aliases, and email addresses you have used over the years. If a stranger searched for your name, who would the results say you are?
• Make your accounts private. But if you want to remain public, you may wish to hide or delete any inappropriate posts.
• Add the right photos.?Make sure your profile and cover photos are respectable and easily visible.
• Post industry-related news, quotes, or articles.?Post, share, or retweet anything related to the industry you are in or want to be a part of.
• Follow inspiring people and companies.?Blogs, news sources, and any other website you love count. Who you follow tells managers what you are passionate about, which leaders you admire, and what trends you are current on.

Here are some additional resources that SHRM collected for turning your online presence into a happy medium.

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