You already know how important it is to have a crisp, concise, and updated resume for your job search, and you likely also know the importance of updating your LinkedIn profile, as well. But you can’t stop there. It is also necessary to clean up your personal social media presence while you’re putting yourself out there for jobs. Why? Because 45% of hiring managers use social media to learn more about potential candidates. If you’re embarking on a job search, use these tips to clean up your social media.
Set All of Your Personal Accounts to Private
While you want your LinkedIn profile to be public and searchable, you want the exact opposite for your personal accounts. Make sure to change all of your settings to private. Then, go through and remove “friends” and followers you don’t actually know. It is also worthwhile to view all photos you are tagged in and remove tags from any photos (or memes) that don’t portray you as a professional. Finally, be discerning in who you accept future requests from. You never know when a stranger could be a hiring manager.
Make Professional Accounts
Next, go back and set up accounts on Twitter and Facebook for your professional brand. Use your full name and a professional headshot. These accounts, like your LinkedIn profile, can be public. Use the new accounts to post professionally about your industry. Share content, interact with thought leaders, and even share your own insights. Just be very careful to remember which account you are logged into when posting new material.
Google Yourself
Once you’ve made your personal accounts private and created public professional accounts, Google yourself to see what comes up. You might be surprised by what you find. Delete any random old accounts you might have forgotten about and remove any questionable content you may have posted.
Get A Website
Purchase a website domain that uses your full name. Then, build a website that showcases your professional portfolio. If you aren’t super tech-savvy, you can use a simple website builder to create a site. If you are comfortable writing, include a professional blog on your website that addresses relevant topics in your industry.
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