Resumes and Cover Letters: Managing Your Social Media Profile

MANAGE YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA/ONLINE IMAGE

• Do not post pictures of yourself doing something illegal.
• Do not post any pictures of yourself in any type of compromising position.
• Do not post any comments that could be construed to be racist, sexist or offensive to anyone. Remember, once you post a comment, it may be there forever.  Even if you delete it, a copy of it exists out in cyberspace and can be searched.
• Do not click like on a post that could be construed as racist, sexist or offensive to anyone.  Again, this information will be searchable forever. 

THINGS TO DO

• Google your full name. Find out what's public and what's not. Remember once it's out there, someone can find it.
• Social Media--When using social media, make sure to research and use the privacy settings.  Don't leave things open to the world.  Anything public is searchable in Google.
• Prior to your interview, the company probably Googled you and searched social media.  This means anything that's public will be found.
• Use different personal and professional email accounts.  This will keep things a little more clear.
• Ask friends not to automatically tag you in any pictures that they might post.  Most photos will be okay, but you may not want your prospective employer to see bikini pictures from the lake party on a public profile somewhere without your knowledge.