What Employers Really See: Cleaning Up Your Social Media for Job Searches

In today’s interconnected world, your social media presence is more than just a personal outlet—it’s an extension of your professional brand. Employers routinely check the online presence of job candidates, with over 70% of recruiters admitting to screening applicants’ social media profiles. For veterans and other job seekers looking to make a strong impression, cleaning up your social media can significantly improve your chances of landing your dream job.

At Content for Careers, we’re committed to helping you navigate the digital landscape with confidence. Here’s how to ensure your social media reflects your best professional self.

Step 1: Audit Your Social Media Profiles

The first step in cleaning up your online presence is knowing what’s out there. Search for your name on Google and review the results to see what employers might find.

Checklist for Each Platform:

Profile Photos: Are they professional or at least appropriate?
Privacy Settings: Are your personal posts hidden from public view?
Past Posts: Do old posts align with your current values and professional goals?

Step 2: Remove Inappropriate Content

Go through your posts, photos, and comments on all platforms and delete anything that might raise red flags to potential employers.

Examples of Content to Remove:

Offensive language or discriminatory remarks.
Posts or images involving excessive partying or illegal activities.
Unprofessional criticisms of past employers or colleagues.

Step 3: Update Your Profiles for Professionalism

Social media isn’t just a potential liability; it’s also an opportunity to showcase your skills, interests, and career goals.

On LinkedIn:

Complete Your Profile: Add a professional photo, write a compelling summary, and list your skills.
Engage with Content: Share articles, comment on industry topics, and join relevant groups.

On Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter):

Ensure bios reflect your professional goals.
Use pinned posts or highlights to showcase achievements, projects, or causes you support.

Step 4: Leverage Privacy Settings

Not everything you post needs to be visible to the world. Adjust your privacy settings to control who sees your personal content.

Tips for Privacy Settings:

On Facebook, review your timeline and tag settings to approve tagged posts before they appear on your profile.
On Instagram, set your profile to private if you prefer to keep personal content hidden.
On X, consider locking your account to limit access to your tweets.

Step 5: Build a Positive Digital Footprint

Instead of simply hiding or deleting content, focus on creating a positive online presence. Share posts that highlight your achievements, professional interests, and community involvement.

Ideas for Positive Content:

Articles or blogs you’ve written.
Photos or updates from professional events.
Volunteer work or causes you’re passionate about.

Step 6: Monitor Your Online Presence Regularly

Cleaning up your social media isn’t a one-time task. Regularly check your profiles and online search results to ensure your presence remains professional and aligned with your career goals.

Tools to Use:

Google Alerts: Set up alerts for your name to monitor mentions online.
Social Media Cleanup Tools: Platforms like Scrubber or BrandYourself can help identify questionable posts.

Why It Matters for Veterans

For veterans transitioning to civilian careers, social media is a critical tool for bridging the gap between military and civilian job markets. A polished online presence can:

Highlight transferable skills like leadership, discipline, and teamwork.
Showcase your journey and commitment to professional growth.
Connect you with veteran-friendly employers and networks.

Conclusion

Your social media presence is often the first impression an employer gets of you. By taking the time to clean up your profiles and curate a positive online footprint, you’ll not only protect your professional reputation but also stand out as a strong candidate in any job search.

At Content for Careers, we offer resources and workshops to help veterans and job seekers leverage social media effectively. Let us help you create a digital presence that opens doors to new opportunities!