From MBA Highway:
By now, you know recruiters and hiring managers are checking you out on social media.
However, most job seekers seem to think we’re only looking for keg-stand pics or some other arbitrary reason not to hire you; bad-mouthing your old boss, for example.
And they would be wrong.
When recruiters – some of whom have these social media reference checks down to a science – look into your social media, they are looking at much more than just your character (and some of it is just downright scary)…
Culture Fit
After the requisite search for the underwear-on-your-head pics, the next step for the recruiter is determining your fit within their company – and the position.
Do you use a high-percentage of swear words? Are you overly confrontational? Are you hyper-adamant in your political beliefs? Are you sensitive when it comes to diversity issues like race, religion and sexual orientation? Even the slightest miscue, like innocently calling a best friend a name considered insensitive in some circles, puts your candidacy at risk.
On the other hand, do you display a sense of humor? How do you handle negative comments from others? Are you happy for others as they achieve? However they define it personally, recruiters like to hire those they like and/or respect… because it sure helps if team members like and respect each other.
Are you likeable?
Personal Branding Inconsistencies
The next step in the social media scan: a look at your character and integrity. Are you who you say you are?
The warning signs during this critical stage are 99.9% self-inflicted. For instance, and in the most obvious case, you list “work ethic” as a marketable soft skill – yet consistently tweet, “Gawd, will this day ever end!!!” Or, in one very real case, talk about how you passionately support Special Olympics, yet refer to your friends in casual posts as “retards”.
Being consistent in your online branding and social media isn’t difficult – for the honest and genuine.
Are you authentic?
Read the rest at MBA Highway.
