Social Media Warning

How Your Online Presence Can Impact Job Opportunities

At The Last Hurdle™, we recently advertised for a new apprentice for our Northampton office. In addition to working with our training provider, we took a proactive approach by promoting the position through social media channels. While we firmly believe that everyone is entitled to their private life, we feel it’s necessary to issue a social media warning for job seekers, particularly those applying for roles in businesses where social media plays a significant role.

Thanks to platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, employers – including ourselves – now routinely check online profiles before inviting candidates to an interview. This has become standard practice, especially when social media is a key part of the business. Unfortunately, a quick glance at some of the applications we received revealed a concerning trend. We found posts containing profanities, inappropriate language and in one case, evidence of bullying and racism. Not only will these candidates likely miss out on an interview, but some of the content could even risk legal action if reported to the authorities.

The Importance of a Clean Social Media Profile

It’s easy to forget that the things we post on social media can have long-term consequences. Many people mistakenly assume their social media activity is inconsequential, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Your online presence is often the first impression you make on a potential employer, client or business partner.

Employers are increasingly using social media profiles to gauge a candidate’s suitability. If your profile contains offensive content, it’s more than just unprofessional – it can be a red flag that eliminates you from the running, no matter how qualified you are for the role. In fact, a survey by CareerBuilder found that 70% of employers use social media to screen candidates during the hiring process, and 54% have decided not to hire a candidate based on their social media profiles.

Social Media or a Sandwich Board?

Imagine walking through your local town with a sandwich board full of profanities, offensive language, or abusive comments. Sounds absurd, right? Most people would never dream of doing such a thing in public, but posting inappropriate content on social media is essentially the same thing. The only difference is that, unlike a sandwich board that people see and forget, social media posts are permanent and can be seen by a far wider audience over a much longer period.

Once something is posted online, it can be shared, copied and screenshotted, making it almost impossible to erase completely. If you wouldn’t feel comfortable displaying it on a sign in a public place, you probably shouldn’t be posting it online. Think carefully before sharing content – it could end up being seen by someone important to your future, whether that’s a potential employer, client or business contact.

Clean Up Your Social Media Presence

If you’re in the job market, or even if you’re not, it’s worth taking a few minutes to review your social media profiles and clean up anything that could damage your reputation. Here are a few steps to help you tidy up your online presence:

Review Your Privacy Settings
Ensure your privacy settings are up to date, especially on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, where personal posts are more common. Decide who can see your posts – friends only, public or a custom list – and adjust your settings accordingly.
Audit Your Posts
Go through your past posts, comments, and shares, and remove anything that could be deemed unprofessional or offensive. Even things that seemed harmless at the time could be taken out of context or reflect poorly on you.
Be Mindful of What You Share
Moving forward, think before you post. Ask yourself, “Would I be comfortable with a future employer or client seeing this?” If the answer is no, reconsider sharing it.
Present Yourself Professionally
Consider using your social media profiles as an extension of your CV. Highlight your skills, share industry insights and engage in meaningful discussions. On platforms like LinkedIn, be sure to include a professional photo and keep your profile up to date with your latest achievements.
Separate Personal from Professional
If you prefer to keep your personal and professional lives separate, consider using different platforms for different purposes. For example, LinkedIn for professional networking and Facebook or Instagram for personal use, but still be mindful of what you post on any public platform.

The Role of Social Media in Business

At The Last Hurdle™, social media is a core part of how we interact with clients and the public. We understand its power in building relationships, raising brand awareness, and engaging with audiences. However, we also know how damaging inappropriate use of social media can be to both individuals and businesses.

For those applying for positions in businesses like ours, where social media plays an integral role, your online behaviour is even more crucial. Employers want to see that you can represent the company in a professional and positive manner. If your personal profiles suggest otherwise, it may cost you valuable opportunities.