Part 1: 91% of Employers Will Check Social Media Before They Hire

Taking care of your personal reputation has never been more important and harder in this culture of social media where just about anything goes.  Our clients always want to get excited about the latest and greatest in social media tools and want our opinion on what they should be using and how they should be using it.  A big question we ask up front is what is your social media policy.  If you don’t have one you need to something official written on the books.  It will save you time and trouble with not only the exposure to your brand but how your employees are perceived as it relates to your brand.

For those of you out there who believe what you say on social media platforms should not be held against you whether you are at work or not are kidding yourselves.  Heather Huhman from Come Recommended sites a poll of hiring professionals that found 91% checked social media platforms to help make decisions on candidates.  The world is getting too small to bury your head in the sand and ignore the reality of what happens when you portray yourself in a negative light.  Not only are 91% of those hiring check social media platforms, the Federal Trade Commission says it’s okay.

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Social media can be great for an organization that is constantly using it to reach out to their user group and for individuals who are careful not to publish damaging information, but for most it can destroy the hard work they have done to build their brand and reputation.  Take in to account this girl below; a simple phone call can make you look pretty silly and now that we have social media, the whole world has a chance to listen.  (Thankfully her full name is not used, but seriously?)