Hey readers 
I hope you all had a great weekend and are enjoying the pleasant change in Melbourne’s previously gloomy weather.⛅️ 
Source
Today’s post is about a recent article I came across which I found interesting. The article, which can be viewed here, outlines how the vast majority of employers are now searching through a candidates’ social media accounts as part of the hiring process.
A study from CareerBuilder revealed that 70 percent of employers now use social media to screen job candidates before hiring them, with many employers also moving beyond social networks by using online search engines such as Google, Yahoo and Bing.
What I also found surprising was that the article even had a link to a ‘Best Background Check Services 2017’ article, which outlined paid service providers that help screen candidates.
As someone who loves to post about my weekend out and food pictures, and also has a Twitter and Pinterest account, I find that I privatise all of these mediums from employers as I like to disconnect this content from my corporate life.
The CF Site 
I think we should be open- especially if we’re trying to be a marketer, it’s shows we’re good at our jobs etc, but then I understand how you feel about wanting your life to be private and that makes sense, you should be able to have a life away from work, I feel like these days though it’s a bit hard to do that! But also if you make the privacy settings strict then it’s up to you whether your employers see it. I think the important thing to remember is that everyone that goes up can be seen by someone so filtering what you post is always a smart idea! Great blog though, creates a good conversation!
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I totally agree, I know I am so indecisive and sometimes filter between a private and unprivate Instagram, but I previously never considered this when applying for jobs. But I agree we should always understand everything posted is posted to all, and I think businesses now are blurring the lines between social and work (Friday night drinks). Great thought
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I think it depends on the kinds of content you’re posting. Your examples of food and puppies seems pretty harmless, and I would definitely hire someone like you (ADORABLE PUP!)
But my boss told me that the other girl she interviewed for my job had her facebook cover photo as half naked, high af at a festival…. compared to mine which I think was a pretty safe and neutral beach view.
So some things you should keep private – other things I don’t think it will affect you, it may even help you get a job!
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Aww, glad to hear you share my enthusiasm for puppies. I am obsessed with mine so I think its safe to say unless my employer is a cat person I have nothing to worry about.
But I agree, sometimes people should understand the accessibility of photos and how it reflects your own personal brand. I just am still unsure if my corporate/work brand and personal instagram/twitter brand correlate as I am more unfiltered and relaxed on social media platforms but I agree, sometimes it does give an indication of the person behind the interview/resume.
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My thought upon this, is that it’s one’s own consequences of having a social media. As we can’t really prevent other/ unknown people in seeing our posts (except if we block em or private our account). And one way or another, if we are accepted for the job, other employees would see our social media posts. So unless the posts are appropriate, then there would be nothing to worry about 🙂 Love your photos by the way!!
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Thank you for the comment and photo appreciation 🙂 I enjoy taking photos and I agree, I feel as though having social media now we are suscepting ourselves to anyone seeing our post regardless of the setting. I just found this article interesting as a comment was that employers also take no social media presence deterring so its hard finding that blend of being private/open. Great thoughts 🙂
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I think it depends on your circumstances and the values of the organisation you are applying for but I think you should always be open to an extent. I know many go out partying and will end up with tagged photos of themselves of social media holding a bottle or glass of some alcoholic sorts – it’s given for people our age and I think its obvious to people recruiting us. So we’ve just got to find a good and sensible balance.
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I agree, I think employers have become more tolerant and understanding of social media and its impact on our generation. And as mentioned I feel as though the line even is blurring with Friday night drinks being some companies ritual so I agree, I think it depends on the industry and the values of an organisation. Great though 🙂
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I think that our social media accessbility depends on the job or career we are aspiring for – for example, as outlined by a previous comment, it would be useful to have publically-accessible social media accounts that are job relevant. In saying this, all content on the social media accounts should be heavily regulated to ensure nothing inappropriate or unnecessary is said which may then reflect badly on you to potential employers. I think the saying goes something like this – if you wouldn’t show your grandma something you’re posting on social media, then don’t post it! Really thought-provoking post 🙂
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I agree, I feel as though sometimes for digital industries or even companies which direction is creativity they may look for profiles that align with their direction. It is just interesting to note that companies pay programs to search up information prior to even meeting people and that judgement is used. But you are right, I like your analogy about the content posted. Thanks for that 🙂
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Always an interesting topic! Personally, I don’t see the point in having a Twitter account if it’s private, but I can understand the impetus to make other platforms private … However, did you know that it can actually backfire on you? For example, check out the following quote from http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/2377-social-media-hiring.html:
“While the fear of having something embarrassing or negative discovered might tempt some job candidates to try and completely erase their online persona, employers say that strategy can backfire for many job seekers. One-quarter of hiring managers expect candidates to have some sort of online presence, and nearly 60 percent are less likely to call someone in for interview if they can’t find them online.”
I guess maybe they assume you have something to hide, or perhaps it just takes away the opportunity to stand out and win them over with your personality!
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Yes I found that so interesting! How no social media can be perceived negatively. That article is where I found the quotes from and which sparked my thought process. I feel as though different mediums for me have different levels of openness. I publicly share my Linkedin and occasionally Instagram (when tagging business pages) but I like my twitter and facebook private. I think its gathering that blend of a social media presence and also what image you want to portray. Thanks for that insight 🙂
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Interesting topic! I am a bit on the fence with this topic because I think we all have the right to keep things private and away from work but also, what we post is a representation of ourselves so why shouldn’t work be able to see it? Further, we can actually use our social platforms to portray our personality, just as Lois mentioned. I guess if you would not want someone from work seeing something, should it really be online in the first place?
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I agree, its creating that blend of memories, sharing your personality and connecting with friends that needs to be established and as mentioned for me, I think it depends on the medium I use which sways my content creation. I also know me and my friends have our own lingo and humour which may not translate to others so I like privatising my content for those reasons also. Great insight 🙂
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As cliche as it sounds, I do think we should be the best version of ourselves in context to what the job is you’re applying for. If it a corporate gig, probably not worth mentioning some of your more personal embarrassing stories that may be documented online. If they come across it, so be it, but when presenting yourself best to keep it professional. However if you’re applying for a hospitality job where a more personal connection is nexesssry, it may be best to open up more. Tldr; context is vital but at the end of the day, it’s safe to assume that whatever is online will be seen, but it’s how you go about it that what matters.
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I couldnt agree more! Sometimes I find myself even searching up my interviewers if I know their name, so I feel as though having an appropriate sharing of ones personality is necessary. But the context is certainly a big factor, if in an interviewer decides for small talk about travelling, it would pay to have your experiences shared (or even if it your cover photo) and is a great ice breaker.
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I think we should open as it shows part of our personality to potential employers. The employer can see whether it fits into job opposition or not . In some case, however, we can remain privately when we think the post might cause some misunderstandings of our trait to employers.
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I agree, having a blend of both private and public is necessary. I know I do that with Facebook vs Instagram. Being open is great but being too open can cost you that corporate interview Great thought.
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This is always a issue that has always made me uncomfortable. I think it’s a hard topic because most people use social media to connect with friends, posting their weekend activities and fun nights out however how can we confidently post our true lives when organisations are scrolling through our pages, judging our character from the posts we decide to share with the world. I’m all for keeping my profiles private!
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I couldn’t agree more, I am all for privatising most aspects of my online self and keeping just enough (such as linked in) open for potential employers. Great thought 🙂
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I think it really depends on the job you are going for. For example if you are going for a job in a role that needs you to have lots of creativity, having your social media platforms on public may be a good thing because employers will be able to see your creative outfits and insta-feed and will get an overall sense of your personality. On the other hand I don’t think countless party and bikini shots will land you the job. It’s really a balancing act between what is appropriate for your employer to see and what isn’t, which makes me lean towards having social media accounts on private.
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I couldnt agree more, if roles require creativity and possibly the task of posting on their social media handles it may benefit having your account public. But I myself always fluctuate between private and public depending on the content shared. Great thought 🙂
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