These days, most employers check the social media profiles of potential candidates before interviewing or offering a position to them. Neither newcomers nor Canadians are exempt from this requirement.
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Harris Poll, an international consulting firm, was commissioned by Express Employment to survey in January 2023. It is widely recognized that Express Employment is one of the world’s leading staffing companies.
According to the survey, almost 60% of Canadian companies screen candidates’ social media profiles. Moreover, the survey states that, 41% of respondents claimed to have rejected a candidate because of something they found on their social media profiles.
So, if you are in the process of searching for a job, you should brush up on your social media skills. This is because some employers check a candidate’s social media accounts early in recruitment, while others wait until the very last minute.
What do employers look for in job candidates?
Jessica Culo, an owner of Express Employment Professionals locations in Edmonton, recommends keeping an eye out for a few things when it comes to social media.
When an employer scans social media, they most probably look for anything that might raise red flags, such as inappropriate or unethical remarks or remarks that are polarizing or extreme. Also, it has been reported that many employers have refused to hire candidates with extreme political views online.
Culo believes newcomers and some Canadians may need to know the dangers of intense political and religious beliefs. This problem may be more acute for those who have fled an unstable political environment or engaged in online discussions or debates.
As a rule, employers review LinkedIn profiles to gain insight into your professional experience, but this does not only apply to LinkedIn profiles. Culo indicated that potential employers are most likely to review social media profiles that appear in a Google search.
Monitoring of social media does not cease when a person is hired as a social media monitor. According to the Harris Poll, 86% of employers say they would fire an employee for making an inappropriate post. According to employers, an inappropriate post divulges confidential information, promotes illegal drugs, or damages the company.
Generally, Culo suggests that you keep your social media profile as private as possible. A private profile will prevent potential employers from seeing everything you post. If social media is not necessary for the type of work that you perform, it is recommended that you go private.
A few things to keep an eye on!
The following considerations should be kept in mind if you wish to maintain a public social media presence. A strong emphasis should be placed on spelling and grammar, according to Culo. This, in turn, affects the credibility of your posts. This is because a resume with grammatical and spelling errors may be considered unprofessional by potential employers.
Ideally, all of your profiles should reflect the same brand, as recommended by Culo. “If you want to portray yourself professionally, it is important to consider what your brand should be, which means that your personal brand should not differ from your professional brand,” she advises. “Both should remain the same and may not be altered.” Ensure that your LinkedIn and Facebook profiles are identical. It would help if you did not depict your ‘unprofessional self’ on your Facebook profile.
As a final piece of advice, she encourages candidates to use social media to help them find employment. The use of social media is not something to be feared. Engage in social media activities to develop a relationship with employers you are interested in working with. You can make use of it to your advantage! All you need to do is use it effectively, with a disciplined approach and focused intent.”