How to Control Your #Social image

As social media continues to become the primary source of communication, it’s no surprise that hiring managers and recruiters are turning to the vast social ecosystem to gain a better understanding of a candidate beyond a resume or cover letter. For these reasons, it’s ever so important to be aware of your social presence and take full control of your online image.

Managing a Twitter page, posting a picture on Facebook and updating your LinkedIn profile, may seem like routine daily rituals, but what you publicize through your social network has a direct impact on how you are perceived by employers or recruiters.

Here are a few simple reminders on the importance of controlling your #socialimage:

Clean Up Your Pages: 

Don’t let a sloppy social identity interfere with your professional image. If you choose to share your opinions and/or photos publically, make sure they are working toward your advantage. 

According to CareerBuilder's annual social media recruitment survey, "the percentage of companies that use social networking sites to research job applicants has been steadily growing, from 39 percent in 2013, up to 43 percent last year, and now 52 percent."

Cross Platform Consistency: 

While questionable social behavior may hinder your chances of getting hired, the visibility potential employers have into your background, career accomplishments and skillset may in fact strengthen your candidacy.

Makes sure your background, career history, accomplishments, and professional affiliations are aligned across all social networks. Your resume, LinkedIn profile and Facebook information should tell the same story. 

Manage Your Privacy Settings: 

Most social networking sites offer the option to manage what content is visible to the public. Use the privacy settings in your favor. Always keep in mind that anything you post online has the chance of being spread beyond your immediate network. If your friend likes, reposts or tags you, a broader audience outside your network may have accessibility to view that content.

Make sure you take the time to manage who can see what content. Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Pintrest all offer various level of privacy that can be typically be located under the settings tool.