Four surprising social media habits that could be hurting your career

Did you know that 70% of recruiters now review candidates’ digital profiles as part of their screening process? Here are four things you need to watch out for!

If you’re applying for a job, you need to do more than just get your CV ready – you also need to ensure there’s nothing damning on social media or online that could scupper your chances of landing a job before you’ve even been invited to an interview.

Julian Goldie, owner of Goldie Agency, warns job seekers that your online activity could be quietly sabotaging your career.

While you may already know that employers check out job applicants’ main social media accounts, most people forget that old accounts, quick comments, and even post likes can still haunt them. It’s the hidden parts of your online activity that employers are also watching – and it could cost you the job.

Don’t carry your bad experiences with you

Employers do more than just scroll through your Facebook or Instagram these days. Many are digging into Google, and that includes reviews you’ve left under your name. A string of negative reviews makes you look critical, difficult, and even toxic in the workplace.

Employers don’t just check the social media presence of potential hires, they also look at Google reviews. A history of harsh feedback or bad mouthing businesses could give the impression you’re hard to please or prone to negativity; traits no employer wants in their team.

Make sure your reviews are balanced and fair

Balancing your reviews with both positive and negative experiences can significantly improve how you’re perceived by potential employers.

When your reviews show a range of fair and thoughtful feedback, it reflects a balanced perspective and suggests you’re not someone who jumps to negativity at every turn. Employers are more likely to see you as reasonable, objective, and capable of constructive criticism.

A mix of reviews demonstrates that you can appreciate good service or experiences while offering constructive feedback when needed, which is a quality employers value in team members.

Four surprising social media habits that could be hurting your career

Here are four more social media habits that could be hurting your career without you realising.

1) Unprofessional email addresses

Three in 10 employers have rejected candidates due to unprofessional email addresses. That quirky email you created in college could be costing you job opportunities.

2) Negative comments

Public arguments in comment sections is third on the list of most common reasons a recruiter will reject a candidate, according to a study by Standout CV. That heated debate you engaged in on a tech forum five years ago might be the reason you get rejected for your dream role.

3) Inappropriate social media posts

Standout CV also discovered that 21% of recruiters admit to rejecting a candidate after looking them up on Facebook. Inappropriate posts and pictures across your online profiles raise red flags for employers.

4) Negative business reviews

If you previously ran a business, you have another challenge, as negative reviews about your business can impact your personal brand. 91% of consumers read reviews for local businesses, including potential employers.

Five tips to help you clean up your digital presence

Here are five tips to help you clean up your digital presence:

Update your email address: Ensure your email is professional and easy to recognize.
Refresh your personal website: Keep your portfolio or website current with accurate, relevant info.
Search for old comments: Look up any comments you’ve made on forums or news sites, and delete or edit where possible.
Revamp old profiles: Close or update outdated online accounts to align with your current skills and experience.
Monitor public records: Stay aware of what public records or reviews are associated with your name, and address any negative entries if possible.

Julian Goldie, the owner of Goldie Agency, has over six years of experience in SEO. He has a YouTube channel with over 75,000 subscribers and has taught over 60,000 students on Udemy. He leads a team of over 70 people and is the author of the best-selling book ‘Link Building Mastery.’