Although social media are spaces for free expression, it is necessary to be mindful of the image you project on them, as it can put your professional future at risk.
Regardless of the platform or how long content has been online, a single photo, comment or inappropriate share can jeopardise your chances of being recruited by a company.
Even though social media are democratic spaces, they are also a showcase of each user. Through them, people and organisations form a perception of your profile (as the name itself suggests). It is not uncommon for recruiters, before hiring a candidate, to analyse not only LinkedIn but also other social media platforms.
Therefore, whether you are about to enter the labour market, looking for a new challenge, or even if you are professionally stable, there are always essential precautions to take with social media.
Don’t look bad in the picture
The photos posted on your profile—especially your profile picture—are your calling card. As such, you should take care when choosing them.
While you should be clear about the image you want to project across all networks, when it comes to your professional path, LinkedIn deserves special attention. A LinkedIn photo should convey professionalism and credibility. Avoid party photos, sunglasses or caps, selfies, or pictures with other people or animals.
Regardless of the platform, a single inappropriate photo, comment or share can undermine your recruitment prospects.
Sit comfortably in a natural position and ask someone to take a photo in a well-lit place with a neutral background. As with remote work, since it is a passport-style photo, you only need to look impeccable from the waist up.
Watch out for spelling mistakes
Attention to writing should not end with your CV or cover letter. Although social media allow for a more informal tone, spelling mistakes on your profile can have a negative impact on employers.
Be careful with comments and shares
Social media are closely linked to the labour market, as employees also represent the company outside the workplace. Companies may try to assess whether a candidate’s profile fits their culture—and they often do so initially through what the candidate shares and comments online.
Offensive, racist or xenophobic comments or shares, for example, can be extremely damaging in the professional world, as companies do not want to be associated with such images.
Set your account to private
To make your social media more private and accessible only to those you allow, you should set your profiles to private. This way, anyone who wants to follow you and access your posts, followers list and other interactions must send a request, which you can accept or decline.
It is also possible to restrict information shared with specific contacts. For example, if you do not want a colleague to see your posts, you can block that profile on the respective platform.
Although social media are democratic spaces, they are also a showcase of each user. Through them, people and organisations form a perception of your profile.
Care with social media should not end after hiring
If you already have a job or have recently been hired, maintaining a good professional image requires continued—and possibly increased—care. Being employed by a company means you cannot disclose strategies, business secrets or insult your employer. Doing so may even lead to dismissal for just cause.
Aside from these issues, and in line with freedom of expression, you cannot be penalised by your employer for what you choose to share or comment on. However, it can certainly influence the image your employer and colleagues have of you.
What companies analyse on each platform
If you think recruiters only look at LinkedIn because it is a professional network, be careful. Employers may use any social media platform where you are present to assess your profile.
On Facebook, HR professionals often evaluate your personal life: lifestyle, beliefs, causes you support, and, of course, photos and their context.
On Instagram, they may analyse your follower patterns and infer your interests from who you follow. They may also review your photos, captions and stories to see if anything suggests a misalignment with the company’s values.
On Twitter, recruiters may again assess your connections and, in this case, the relevance of the content you share through your tweets.
Use social media to boost your career
Social platforms have disadvantages, but if used properly, they can offer many advantages—especially professional visibility. Take advantage of this “stage” to share content related to your professional interests, building a solid and specialised image. You should also use social media for networking and stay alert to potential opportunities.
Source: Doutor Finanças
