With social media screenings becoming more popular amongst recruiters, it is important to understand how your social media can affect your job search.
Social media are collaborative technologies that enable the creation and sharing of personal views and public opinion, interests, information, ideas and other forms of expression through virtual communities and networks.
Some social media platforms are designed for social sharing and interaction, such as Instagram, whilst some are designed for use across a more professional setting, such as LinkedIn.
Since the launch of social media in the early 2000’s, companies continue to evolve and social media giants such as Facebook and Instagram are continuously adapting their user-services, functionalities and algorithms in-line with technological advances.
Globally, the use of social media is on the rise and the number of MAUs (monthly active users) is rapidly increasing. These stats show the number of active monthly users worldwide as of January 2022:
As this technology becomes more accessible, so too do we see the rise in industries, such as recruitment, accessing and using social media profiles for vetting purposes.
If this thought has you second guessing the content you post and share online, then it may be time for a social media overhaul.
Before you start applying for a new job, we recommend carrying out a social media ‘audit’ on your own accounts. From the pictures you post (of yourself or others) and content you are tagged in, to comments on your accounts etc., a ‘social media tidy-up’ might be necessary.
Consider removing posts others may deem offensive or inappropriate, or posts that may conflict with a company’s values and beliefs. Unfortunately, this can all have an effect on your job search. Now we’re not saying that all recruiters or hiring managers scout out the social media profiles of potential candidates, but we say it is best to play it on the safe side.
In some instances, you may not want to remove certain posts or shared content from your profile and that is entirely up to you, but in these instances, we suggest revisiting your privacy settings and limiting the information and content visible across your accounts.
Pro tip: Google yourself. Yes, we know this sounds a bit strange, but this is the perfect opportunity to see what a recruiter or manager would see when they look you up.
The simple answer? YES. Recruiters and hiring managers are far more likely to find out more about a candidate by looking through their social media profiles, and as this information is seen as ‘in the public domain’, recruiters are legally allowed to browse your social media accounts.
Now, as much as recruiters are legally allowed to LOOK through your social media accounts, they CANNOT decide whether or not to interview or hire you based on your social media accounts. This is particularly important to keep in mind, especially in instances where you did not agree to them using this information, or where they looked at some candidates’ social media accounts and not those of other applicants.
Yes and no. Your employer has a right to monitor your use of company equipment (laptops, desktops, mobile phones etc.) and company resources (internet, data etc.), however they must advise staff that this usage is being monitored. They can’t, on the other hand, police the content you post on your social media accounts.
Something to consider: if you friend or follow a colleague or manager on any of your social media accounts, you are opening your profiles up to viewing, and possible scrutiny. Remember, social media accounts are considered ‘in the public domain’ and so are not considered private spaces.
Although you may feel like your work and social life are separate from one another, you can face discipline or dismissal for social media misuse. Understanding what could be grounds for disciplinary action is critical:
Although it may seem silly that an employee could be fired over a social media post or comment, the law in the UK upholds that misconduct on social media is taken as seriously as verbal misconduct in the workplace.
If you’ve been dismissed for comments or posts you’ve made on social media, it could be that you have been unfairly dismissed, but each case is different and dependant on case-specific facts.
As a rule, you should follow your employer’s internal procedures, which could involve issuing a grievance or exercising your right to appeal.
If you have exhausted these internal procedures, we suggest contacting an Employment Lawyer for advice and legal guidance.
There are a few simple things you can do to avoid any awkward conversations or interactions with your manager based off what they have seen on your profiles:
With the use of social media more prominent than ever, we need to be more aware and vigilant when posting online. Keep in mind that what you post on the internet will last a lifetime, so be sure to post content that is true to you but also shows off your professionalism and discretion, where appropriate.
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*COVID-19 considerations apply. All information was accurate and up to date at the time of publishing.
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