As job seekers meet with us, we often get the question: “Do potential employers look at my social media?” Our answer: Sometimes. And, with most things, following the adage, “better safe than sorry” is the way to go.

So the question to you is, “do you really want a potential boss or employer to see what you've posted?" Social media is the engine by which our lives are documented and made available for public consumption. Social media posts that may have seemed funny, righteous or brilliant when first published can prove to be a hindrance, if not a disqualifying factor, in the quest for a new career.

So does this mean that you should stay away from social media while you are looking for work? Not necessarily. There are many ways to ensure that your social media activity does not reflect negatively on you in the eyes of a potential employer. A little bit of knowledge and a judicious approach to information sharing can help prevent what initially seemed like an innocent post from hampering or downright killing your shot at a dream job.

How often do potential employers look at my social media?

It’s important to distinguish social media outlets like Facebook and Instagram from business-oriented, networking sites like LinkedIn. Through the candidate qualification stage, some employers may choose to look at your LinkedIn, and possibly your Facebook profiles. It’s important, therefore, to tailor your approach to these tools dependent on their place in your personal and professional life.

“Accounts like Facebook and Instagram should be made private so that only those allowed access can see your posts. If you don’t take these precautions, all of your posts are available to see…and to be judged.” Haley Burrow, V.P. of Talent at AimHire

Remember, even if you make your Facebook account private, anyone can see your profile picture, so although a casual shot is quite acceptable, an offensive or controversial picture will not serve you well when in job-seeking mode.

Sites like LinkedIn, of course, are another matter entirely. In this case you do want potential employers to see your profile. Complete all the information possible and tailor the information to create the best impression possible for hiring managers and other decision-makers. As Burrow notes: “LinkedIn postings should be professional, and although it’s perfectly acceptable to highlight your personality and skills through well-written, engaging observations, you should never post political or other potentially provocative comments.”

A good LinkedIn profile is analogous to a good resume- it should be clear, concise, factual and easy to navigate. You should also make sure that your title is professional and accurate to the title or titles you are interested in, not ambiguous like “the master of all things office”. Your profile should also be clearly descriptive of your responsibilities and skills, including recommendations, not just endorsements. Although a ton of LinkedIn endorsements might look good and might make you feel pretty special, they are usually traded like baseball cards between friends and are not as valuable as personal and professional recommendations, which go well beyond a figurative “thumbs up”.

You can request recommendations from co-workers and associates and choose to post those containing supportive examples and other data important to a hiring manager. Additionally, it almost goes without saying that your profile picture should be professional-looking, so stay away from the funny nose glasses.

Social media is an integral part of the fabric of our society – how you use it, and how you don’t - is a reflection of you as a person and as a professional, so “post” accordingly and don’t worry about if your potential employers look at your social media, because they will only find things to benefit you.

Using every possible avenue in your job search including social media, personal connections and a staffing agency will help you get to the best jobs, faster. AimHire is a Denver employment agency looking to pair enthusiastic and knowledgeable candidates with quality employers. Contact AimHire today to learn more about how a staffing company can support your goals by pairing you with eager employers looking for top talent.