News

How Your Facebook Profile Might Lose You the Dream Job

Tweet June 15th, 2012 written by James in News

As previously blogged, some employers or hiring companies are asking for Facebook passwords during the interview. Although this is still a rarity, it does happen.

However, what is more commonplace, and even becoming standard is to research the candidate via their social networking profile pages. Before you’ve even been called for an interview, an HR professional may have looked you up. If your name comes up next to inappropriate photos or you are seen to not be conducting yourself in a manner that impresses the company to which you have applied, your resume will be in the bin faster than you can tweet 140 characters.

LinkedIn, the UK’s 3rd most popular social network after Facebook and Twitter, is a professional network and should be a professional advocate for you and your work interests. One mistake that we often see is people connecting their Twitter accounts with their LinkedIn profile. Although this strategy can be used to promote yourself via cross-platforms, make sure that your tweets are professional, well written and aren’t negative, opinion-based and too informal. Having separate Twitter accounts for your personal and business needs costs nothing and will allow you to differentiate between your interests.

Although your Facebook page is meant to be a personal network between you, your family and friends, it would be preferential to get rid of any incriminating photos and add a higher level of security so that only people you have approved can see any of your pictures and information.

Depending on the brand you’re hoping to work for, you could adjust your information to suit. If you’re hoping for a career with Apple, for example, get rid of any updates about your troublesome iPhone. If you’re looking to work within the travel industry, add some blog articles about your previous adventures, showing off your expansive knowledge and liven it up with some appropriate photos of your trips.

There is of course another perspective on the whole issue. Would you want to work for a company that snoops into your private life? Do you think that what you put on your personal pages reflects you as a professional candidate? Perhaps it’s unfair for the hiring company to make assumptions of you based on what you’ve put online. What do you think? Let us know in the comments form below or mention @puregenie on Twitter.

Don’t fret though, having a solid and respectable set of ‘Google-able’ pages can do you great favours. It will show that you are a knowledgeable and even thought-leading candidate. It isn’t hard to put yourself forward as an outstanding contender with succinct and relevant content.

Puregenie Digital Recruitment is easily found, as are the professional pages of our team. We each have a polished LinkedIn profile and company Twitter accounts. We use them to listen, inform and enable personable and professional communication channels.
Everyone at @Puregenie is available on Twitter, including the MD – @PGIanBrooks , Digital Resourcers @PGNickPower and @PGDaisyRoss, Recruiter @PGLouiseOgrady and Social Media Manager @PGJamesSmith. You can also find us taking part in discussions and posting new jobs and industry news via our LinkedIn group.

One comment

One Comment

1. 

   by Andrew CV Writer Duffy on 17-6-2012

   For sure doing a search in google on the person’s name is something most recruiters are doing – especially if the person is short listed. It’s always interesting to see if there are any discrepancies with their CV.

   Having a web presence / profile is a good idea and a Web CV helps you out even more especially if you refer to it in your covering letter – helps you stand out from the crowd….!