Avoid Social Media Mistakes During Your Job Search

Social media has become a powerful tool for companies to promote their job openings. These businesses are also using it to create a powerful employer brand that makes people want to work from them. Social media may help you find a job and an employer you want to work for, but it could also cause you to lose your job.

Earlier this year, Leeds Live reported that Emmerdale actress Shila Iqbal was fired because her bosses discovered she had posted messages on Twitter that were deemed racist before becoming a soap star. This shows that nobody is excluded from having their social media accounts checked before and during employment.

So, whether you are looking for local jobs in Leeds with TV companies or other positions anywhere else in the UK, you need to make sure your social media is squeaky clean. But away from serious insults and racism, what are the other social media mistakes that jobseekers are making?

1. Inappropriate Images

Social media is predominantly image and video content, so it is unsurprising that you want to join in and upload that tasty dish from the restaurant or a holiday snap. However, make sure you keep any pictures on social media pleasant and inoffensive. The golden rule is if you wouldn’t show your grandmother, then don’t post it online.

2. Discussing Your Current/Previous Employer

A massive mistake made by jobseekers is that they are badmouthing their current employer or their current colleagues on their socials. This is a red flag for lots of businesses because most companies implement a clause within contracts to state this is not allowed and shows a disregard for the rules. This is on top of the impoliteness and potential defamation occurring in the posts themselves.

If you have to, keep it in your WhatsApp group chat.

3. Posting During Your Working Hours

One mistake often not even considered is the timing of your current social media posts. What happens when your potential new employers see that you have been posting throughout your working day? That isn’t really going to stack up against your interview claims that you are a focused and dedicated worker. A simple mistake like this – innocent or guilty – could cause another applicant to pip you at the finishing line.

4. Publicly Discussing the Interview

You are excited or nervous about the opportunity and you take to social media to tell people about your upcoming interview. There is nothing wrong with that, although many people like to stay quiet until they know the outcome. What is not okay is if you discuss details of the interview or questions in public. This could evidence a lack of professionalism on your part and some employers may not take to it.

5. Not Using LinkedIn

Sometimes it is not what you do but what you don’t do. Not using LinkedIn to find new roles and to network could be killing your employability potential. Not just because you won’t be exposed to opportunities, but also because companies like to hire people that are well connected and could potentially bring clients and customers to the business. Make sure you make the most of LinkedIn going forward – it is not too late!

How many mistakes are you making?