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Unblurred Lines

Preparing for the Job Search Using Effective Social Media Etiquette

With the prevalence and reliance on social media for today’s job seekers, it is more important than ever to ensure that you create a virtual path that leads to success. For many people, this might require engaging in some social media spring cleaning. Students and job seekers can take the opportunity to unblur the social media lines between professional and personal.

The number of social media platforms continues to grow, and the utility of sharing videos, pictures and posts can be a great benefit to you on the job search. In a recent blog post, the Muse shared that 92 percent of hiring managers use social media to recruit new employees.[1] This data represents all social media platforms, so while we presume that hiring managers are utilizing LinkedIn primarily, they are reviewing your social media footprint across platforms. 

In a review of the social media mission statements of several popular platforms, a clearer picture of the line between personal and professional is drawn. This line can potentially mean the difference between an interview or callback for job seekers. Below is a quick reference table to help distinguish between popular social media sites and their intended use.

[1] https://www.themuse.com/advice/job-seekers-social-media-is-even-more-important-than-you-thought

Social Media Site Mission Statements
Facebook Facebook’s mission is to give people the power to build community and bring the world closer together. People use Facebook to stay connected with friends and family, to discover what’s going on in the world, and to share and express what matters to them.[1]
LinkedIn The mission of LinkedIn is simple: connect the world’s professionals to make them more productive and successful.[2]
Instagram We bring you closer to the people and things you love.[3]
Snapchat We believe that reinventing the camera represents our greatest opportunity to improve the way people live and communicate. We contribute to human progress by empowering people to express themselves, live in the moment, learn about the world, and have fun together.[4]
TikTok TikTok is the leading destination for short-form mobile video. Our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy.[5]
Pinterest Pinterest is the visual discovery engine. Our mission is to bring everyone the inspiration to create a life they love.[6]

[1] https://investor.fb.com/resources/default.aspx

[2] https://about.linkedin.com/?#

[3] https://about.instagram.com/about-us

[4] https://www.snap.com/en-US/

[5] https://www.tiktok.com/about?lang=en

[6] https://newsroom.pinterest.com/en

Each of the social media platforms have an intended purpose. Many of you likely created a profile years ago on these sites without truly understanding how to use it or what benefits (or pitfalls) the site could potentially have on your future careers. By understanding the intent of the site, you can create the professional profile that may lead to more successful interview and job prospects.

Three of our four recruiters checked potential hire’s social media sites and one in three did not hire a candidate due to something visible on their profile.[1] This doesn’t mean that you can’t use social media. It simply means that you have to use it responsibly. 

Take these three simple steps to unblur your social media profiles:

  1. Remove images, graphics, and posts that show what may be deemed by a potential employer as inappropriate or detrimental to their brand. For example, pictures of drinking alcohol or partying, posts that talk poorly of previous or current employers, over-posting or posting an excessive amount.
  2. Put simple profile pictures on your platforms. For platforms intended for social exchange and interaction like Facebook and Instagram, use a personalized photo of yourself so you are easily identified.  On professional platforms like LinkedIn, post a profile picture that represents a professional headshot. It doesn’t have to be taken by a professional photographer, but it should represent a professional image of you. Consider a photo that is shoulders and above. Be dressed in professional attire. The photo can even showcase your talents and skills by having a professional background (for example, a healthcare setting).
  3. Choose several of your professional role models and review their profiles across social media.  Pay attention to their profile pictures, what they post about (and don’t post about), how they represent themselves and their company/organization. For example, they may share their professional accomplishments, how can you share steps that you are making toward your professional goals? 

There is an adage that you should dress for the job you want, not the job you have. That saying now applies to your social media presence. It is more important now than ever to unblur the lines between professional and personal and dress your social media for the job you want!

[1] https://blog.staff.com/social-media-for-recruitment-infographic/

Dr. Jenna Sage has been with UMA for three years. She currently serves as the Dean of Career Services and Workforce Solutions. In that role, she supports the Education and Career Services departments to meet our UMA mission of equipping and empowering students to excel in healthcare careers by providing a learning experience that maximizes value for our students in a professional, supportive and ethical environment. Prior to UMA, Dr. Sage was in the field of education as a classroom teacher, district behavior support specialist, and district level administrator. She has her Doctorate in Special Education and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Her passion is to advocate for high quality educational experiences through storytelling.