Presenting Yourself on Social Media for Employers

By Rachel Rubinstein, Account Supervisor 

Social media has become a tool for public relations practitioners, both professionally and personally. Today, many employers look to social media to learn about candidates for positions. Understanding the value of maintaining a positive social media presence is the first step. 

How do you know if something is appropriate to post on social media?

Social media is a platform where you can be yourself while also presenting your best self. When I post on social media, I do what I call “the grandma test.” I ask myself, “would my grandmother approve of this content?” If the answer is yes, then post away, but if grandma wouldn’t like it, employers most likely wouldn’t either. 

According to Business News Daily, there is no one way to manage your social media presence. It is more important to market “your brand” and what you believe that is. If you maintain what you want your brand to be, then employers will recognize that you can replicate that for their brand. 

Do’s and Don’ts

Some safe content to post includes travel, hobbies, friends and family, charity work, and influencer endorsements. On the other hand, some things to avoid posting are explicit or illegal content, rants or anything angry, and clear intoxication. In general, just avoid any red flags that may make employers hesitate to hire you. Remember: what would grandma say?

Influencer marketing has become increasingly popular, and this can be used to your advantage. Becoming a brand ambassador, or influencer can show employers that you can represent a brand well and that you can be trusted with social media tasks. 

Why is your social media presence important for finding employment?

When companies are looking to hire someone, they want to ensure that the candidate will represent their brand values in their daily lives. Looking into social media can give employers insight into who you are. From there, employers can decide whether you are the right fit for their company. 

Employers look for trustworthy people with good judgment to become a part of their team. Since they don’t know you yet, the only window into your life is through your social media. This way, they can scope out if you can be trusted based on what you have decided to post and how you choose to represent yourself to the digital world. 

Why is your personal social media important in the pr industry?

Social media plays a large role in public relations. Most agencies manage their clients’ social media platforms, so it is important to show your skills through your personal social media efforts. If you can successfully market yourself, then you can do the same for any company or brand.