CHARLOTTE, N.C. — If you’re a new college graduate, or just looking for a job, consider this: 70 percent of employers check out their applicants on social media. Fifty-four percent of employers say social media content has caused them to reject someone.
With this in mind, Action 9’s Jason Stoogenke reminds young adults to think before you post and in case you don’t, how to clean up your social media.
Most young adults now days have various forms of social media like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Snapchat.
Matthew Sliver owns a creative consulting group. He said social media always comes into play in hiring.
“The first thing I absolutely do is check their Instagram,” Sliver said. “You would be really really surprised the stupid stuff people put on their social media. It will prevent you from getting a job right. It absolutely will.”
Red flags to employers include risqué posts such as drinking, partying, anything too political.
The key, however, is to not delete everything. Reports say 57 percent of employers are less likely to consider you if you don’t have social media.
Experts recommend googling your name and see what comes up. If you can, delete anything inappropriate. If you can’t, ask the company directly to delete it.
Some groups will archive the internet so you can search your name on the website “Wayback Machine” to see posts you may have forgotten about. It is also recommended to not try to hide it if it comes up in an interview. Just acknowledge that it is something from your past and it does not reflect who you are now.
Employers are not just looking for “bad” behavior. Posts about volunteer work and creative projects may even increase your chances for getting hired.
Cox Media Group
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