How to prepare your social media when applying for a job?

Have you ever applied for a job, but the company didn’t reach out to you? Well, perhaps that was because of something the recruiters noticed in your social media. Many people try their best to have the most attractive resume possible. However, not many people pay enough attention to their own social media profiles before applying for a job. That can be a major mistake. 

Are you sure you project a proper professional image on social media? This might seem like a secondary aspect, but it can leave you out of the recruitment process. At T2W we have an extensive experience in recruitment services, so we can help you. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best ways to prepare your social media when applying for a job. 

Curating your social media for a job 

One of the very first filters recruiters use in a process is social media evaluation. In fact, 70% of companies check candidate’s social media. For most organizations, social media can reveal some aspects of the personality of candidates. If a recruiter checks your profile and finds a red flag, that’s probably as far as you’ll get in the recruitment process.  

We are not only talking about LinkedIn, but also other options such as Facebook and even Twitter. We’ll show you how to optimize your profile in the main social networks so you can increase your chances of getting the job. 

1. Optimizing your LinkedIn profile when looking for a job 

LinkedIn is a key social network for professionals looking for a job. You probably have a profile there already. However, are you sure you are presenting yourself as a good candidate for potential employers? You need to optimize your profile and fill it with the right information. 

Your profile’s URL 

You have to start by editing your profile’s URL. When you have a public profile, you can modify it. Ideally, it should show only your name: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yourname/. To do that, you have to go to your profile. In the top right corner, you’ll find the option named: Edit public profile & URL. There, you’ll be able to change your profiles’ URL. 

What do you achieve with that? First, not editing your URP suggest you are relatively new with LinkedIn, which can generate some doubts about your experience. Also, with that change your profile is easier to find. That increases your chances of being directly contacted by an organization.  

The profile picture 

The profile picture in LinkedIn is a detail some people don’t pay enough attention to. Unlike Facebook, on this social network you need to show your professional side. Avoid pictures with family or friends. A picture from the shoulders up will be enough. Finally, it would be great if you have a genuine smile since it conveys enthusiasm and generates trust. The picture must be the ideal reflection of your professional side. 

The profile information 

Most of LinkedIn users don’t bother to complete all the information in the profile. Most people only fill the sections related to education and experience. However, you also need to complete your summary. This is the first section in your profile. Filling this section is not an impossible task. You just have to write a small description of your work experience, education, professional interest and skills. With these sections completed, you have a good LinkedIn profile. 

2. Optimizing your Facebook profile when looking for a job 

While LinkedIn is a necessary tool for recruiters who want to know the candidates better, it isn’t the only social network they can check. Facebook is one of the most common social networks in the world. It isn’t focused on the professional side of people, but it can reveal many important aspects of candidates. You need to prepare your profile so that it can be attractive for organizations. 

Photos and posts 

First, it’s essential not uploading photos in unprofessional attitudes. Perhaps you have really old photographs that don’t reflect the professional person you are now. This is the perfect time to hide them or delete them. You need to make a detailed revision of all the pictures you have uploaded and those where you have been tagged. 

Likewise, check all the posts you have made in your profile, as well as comments people have made about you. Avoid aggressive or offensive posts. Does the information in your profile reveal any reason not to hire you? In any case, you can change your privacy settings so that only your friends can see your profile. 

Your personal information 

You can also add some professional information in your profile. You just have to go to the section About in your profile and then click the option Work and Education. There you can go in detail about your work experience. While you can add many jobs in that section, it’ll be enough with your current and the previous job. That is information that will be checked on LinkedIn. If your professional experience is not that extensive, make sure to add your university studies and further education you had. 

Pages you follow 

It is a good idea to follow the Facebook page of the organization you will apply to. This show that you have genuine interest in the company and the position. You can also follow some other businesses within your area of expertise. That is a sign that you are active in your professional field, even outside LinkedIn. 

You might also like: What is burnout syndrome and how to recognize it? 

3. Optimizing your Twitter profile when looking for a job 

Twitter can be a complicated social network when it comes to looking for a job. While it offers a great way to contact other professionals and organizations, it can also show some negative aspects of candidates. In this case, the main aspect you should worry about are your tweets. 

The type of tweets 

Tweets not only reveal the interests of people, but also aspects of their personality. Many get into lengthy fights in this social network. In the eyes of a recruiter, that speaks about a possible conflictive attitude that could not fit well with some companies. What recruiters expect to find in Twitter is a candidate interested in aspects relevant for the profession. For that reason, you should tweet and comment actively about trends and news in your file of expertise.  

Now you know how to curate your social media before applying for a job. A detailed revision of these can help you get to the next stage of the recruitment process. Start now! 

At Talent2Win, we strive to align your company’s business objectives with the best Talent Acquisition strategies available. If you want to learn more about the services we offer, do not hesitate to contact us.