Looking for a job? When last did you Google your own name?

The same way that you are likely to form an opinion on a company from what you see about it online, so your potential employers are able to form a perception of who you are by accessing your digital profiles…

Between Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn (to name but a few), there is a lot of information that is publicly available about most of us.

According to Marc Privett, Head of Product and Customer Insights at leading online recruitment portal Careers24: “Analysing available online data provides valuable insights to companies to help match the best suited people with the jobs they have available.  This practice also helps to weed out high risk candidates or candidates who do not fit the company culture. That is why it makes sense to regularly check your own online profiles and consider what it is doing to build your personal brand.”

The following can help you stand out as an ideal candidate for a position you may not even know you might be considered for:

1. If the first results of a Google search of your name show positive information about you.
2. If you have a social profile. A candidate that is visible online can be viewed as less of a gamble (unless you are too controversial for their comfort).
3. If a current professional snapshot or summary about you is available.
4. If your social media updates do not contradict what your CV states. For example, if you claim to pay attention to detail, then spelling and grammar would matter to you when posting online.
5. If your skills and accomplishments can easily be verified.
6. If you naturally receive positive comments from peers.
7. If you show an interest in your line of work.
8. If you participate in discussions about the industry you are working in or would like to work in.
9. If you have a good network.
10. If your unique personality shines through in your updates, photographs or descriptions.
11. If you don’t constantly complain.
12. If you don’t like Facebook pages that support any form of illegal activity or controversial issues.
13. If you don’t vent about hating your boss, colleagues, job or the company you work for.

Social media screening

According to Farhad Bhyat from Farosian, a specialist social media company that works with Careers24, the number of employers and recruiters who conduct social media screening (on both candidates and existing employees) has increased drastically over the last few years. That means the odds are high that a potential employer’s first impression of you is made before the interview stage, as they have more than likely had a look at your online profiles.

“At first thought, people find social media screening intrusive and become highly defensive,” says Bhyat. “It is however a great way for candidates to showcase themselves.  Your social media profiles can help you build your personal brand.”

To create a great social media first impression, Bhyat advises below:

1. Selfies are fun, but they don’t tell a story about you! Show how unique you are by posting about your interests, hobbies, charity work, community engagement and activities.
2. DO NOT use text language – this does not come across as professional or showcase communication skills.
3. Engage in an eloquent and articulate manner when commenting on social media – swearing and foul language never makes anyone look great.
4. Either include your social media profiles (not just LinkedIn) in your CV, or add an independent social media screening report with your CV and application (FAROSIAN statistics show that this will increase the chances of an interview dramatically).
5. Verify and validate any content that you like/ share or re-tweet – sharing fake news does not make you look good.