5 SOCIAL MEDIA MISTAKES THAT COULD JEOPARDISE YOUR CAREER

Social media can either make or break your career. Here’s what you should and shouldn’t be doing online.

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It probably isn’t news to you that there are negatives and positives to social media. A while ago we talked about how social media affects your mental health, but have you considered how your online presence affects your career in the long run? According to a Harris Poll survey, 70% of employers utilise social media to vet candidates prior to hiring. (Source: Business Daily)

START WITH A SOCIAL MEDIA AUDIT OF YOURSELF
Can you remember every post you’ve ever made online? Chances are the answer is no. If you’re job hunting actively, it’s best to start with a social media search of your name to delete anything that could make you seem unprofessional. Look on Facebook, Twitter and even Google to see what comes up when your name is searched and remove any posts that could jeopardise your career.

SOCIAL MEDIA MISTAKES TO AVOID
Here are some examples of content that could make recruiters or potential employers click away.

1. Complaining About Your Boss Or Customers
It’s normal to have bad days at work, but it’s best to rather not post about it online. A rant about your boss our customers can not only land you in trouble at your current job, but it’s also a big turn off for future employers.



2. Bad Grammar Or Use of Text Language
We all post on-the-go and it’s not always possible to whip out your Oxford dictionary, but constantly using text language or using bad grammar could look bad if a prospective employer is looking at your profile. According to money.com, 66% of hiring managers said they hold poor spelling and grammar against candidates.

3. Photos with Booze
Excessive partying and photos of weekend benders could damage your credibility. According to a study by Jobvite, 44% of recruiters saw posts about alcohol as concerning as it could affect the candidate’s performance at work. It goes without saying that posts about drug use are unacceptable.

4. Profane language
Constantly swearing on your social media posts could stand in the way of your job search. Your potential employer may not like the kind of language and it could cast you in an unfavourable light before your interview.

5. Discrimination
Social media is a platform for opinions, but you should be careful what you post online. Cyberbullying, discriminatory or malicious comments will not be accepted by your current or future employer.

HOW TO USE SOCIAL MEDIA TO YOUR BENEFIT
Don’t worry, it’s not all bad. You can also use it to boost your career! Here’s how.

1. Keep your LinkedIn profile updated
LinkedIn is a great way to showcase your experience and skills online. Look at people in jobs you'd like to do for ideas on how best to present yourself. Connect with people in the industry you’d like to work in and ask people you’ve worked with to endorse your skills to further boost your profile. You can also include a link to your LinkedIn profile in your cover letter when you apply for a job.



2. Join Job Search Facebook Pages
Facebook is not only for personal use, but it can also be used to job hunt. Join Facebook job boards like Jobs in South Africa, The Resource and IT Jobs South Africa to see the latest positions available.

3. Use Twitter To Job Hunt
You can use the hashtag #JobSeekersSA to find job listings, alternatively you can use the hashtag to send out a tweet with your LinkedIn profile to reach potential employers.

4. Follow Industry Leaders
By following influential people you will gain insight into the industry you’re interested in – it’s also a great way to stay motivated to reach your goals!