Canadian employers search social media for potential candidates before offering a job or sometimes even an interview. This applies to both newcomers and Canadians.
In January 2023, the Harris Poll, a global market research and consulting firm, conducted a survey on behalf of Express Employment. Express Employment is a leading global staffing provider. The survey found that more than 60% of Canadian companies (65%) say they analyze a candidate’s social media. Among this group, 41% said they found content on social media from a job candidate that led to them not being offered the job.
Refining and editing your social media should be a priority in the early stages of your job search. Some employers start checking a candidate’s social media early in the process, while others wait until the final stage of the hiring process.
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What are employers looking for?
Jessica Culo, owner of several Express Employment Professionals locations in Edmonton, spoke with CIC News about some of the things you should be aware of on social media as a newcomer. She said that when a potential employer is checking social media, she’s looking for “any red flags, such as inappropriate, unethical, polarizing or extreme comments or photos. I have seen employers not hire candidates because they have very strong political views displayed excessively online.”
She says newcomers, and some Canadians as well, may not understand that strong political or religious opinions can “send an image that scares away employers.” She says this can be a bigger problem for someone who may have fled a shaky political environment. [and] you may be more inclined to participate in political conversations or online debates.
This doesn’t just apply to your LinkedIn profile, which employers often review to get an idea of your professional experience. Culo says potential employers are more likely to verify social media profiles that come up in a Google search.
Social media following doesn’t stop after you’re hired. Harris Poll data shows that 86% of employers said they would fire a current employee who creates “inappropriate postings.” Employers define this as something that harms the company, reveals confidential information, or promotes the use of illegal drugs.
One tip Ass offers is to keep your social media profiles private whenever possible. “If social media doesn’t have to be public because of the nature of the work you do, I’d say private is better.” A private profile means potential employers can’t see everything you post.
Things to keep in mind
It may help to keep a few things in mind if you prefer to keep your social networks public. “Spelling and grammar are very important.” Says Ass, “It affects the validity and credibility of your posts. Grammar and spelling mistakes can be off-putting to potential employers.”
Culo advises keeping a similar personal “brand” across all profiles. “Think about the image you want to have and what you want your brand to be like, and by that I don’t mean that a personal brand should be different from a professional brand,” he says. “It should be one and the same and stick to that. For example, your Facebook profile should not represent your ‘unprofessional self’ while your LinkedIn profile is ‘professional’. Be consistent across all social media platforms.”
His final piece of advice is to embrace social media as a job-finding tool. “There is no need to be afraid of social networks. Use social media to connect with employers you want to work for. It can be a powerful tool! It just has to be used responsibly, with discipline and intention.”
reference: www.cicnews.com