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Social Media Could Make or Break a Job Interview
By Kailey Howell
Wayne State University
Com 2100, Oct. 16, 2017
In today’s age of technology, one of the biggest issues that students face during job interviews isn’t the interview itself, but what their social media accounts say about them. A student’s social media presence could determine whether or not they receive a job before they even go in for an interview.
“Not cleaning up social media is the biggest mistake right now,” Maureen Johnson, a career counselor at Wayne State University said, “Employers use that as much as they can.”
Johnson hosted a meeting last week on interview preparedness and success tips for students in the Faculty/Administration building at WSU. However, only two students attended.
Among those students was Sachith Vidanapathirana a grad student at WSU studying material sciences.
“Of course [the meeting] helped,” Vidanapathirana said, “I come from a research and innovations field. I’ll be making a checklist specific for my career field.”
Johnson aired the video “Common Job Interview Mistakes: What NOT to Say or Do”, a Films for Humanities and Sciences Video. The film emphasized the importance of presenting oneself professionally during a job interview.
“Social media makes it easier for possible employers to learn about you.” the film stated.
But how often do employers really check social media?
“45% of employers admit checking out candidates on social media” The Muse, an online career resource states, “One in three employers rejected candidates based on something they found online.”
Ryan Miller, a junior at WSU, said “I have heard from and witnessed former employers of mine scroll through people’s profiles.”
“Everyone you meet is important.” Johnson said at her meeting, “Basically, you are selling yourself and what you are about.”
Justin Hollins, a football player at WSU said “I keep my social media clean because it gets checked almost on the daily. I can only post my achievements or good, wholesome memories.”
Of all the social media sites out there which are most often checked? Of those 45% of employers who admitted to checking out candidates on social media, The Muse states “76% look at Facebook, 48% look at LinkedIn and 53% look at twitter.”
Miller said “Keeping a clean social media is very important, in my opinion. You are essentially being observed as how you behave outside of your work atmosphere, if you do not have a professional profile.”
“Some people feel it’s weird, and that their employer shouldn’t look at their social media accounts.” Hollins said, “It shows their personal life and not their business life. If you’re getting the job done then what does your private life matter?”
The Muse provides some insightful tips on how to keep ones social media clean.
The site states “Google yourself to find out how much digital dirt you’ve left all over the internet. Clean up as many of those incriminating photos and grumpy status updates as you can.”
Jon Vokal, a business student at Northwood University said “I use my better judgement to choose if making a certain post looks professional or not.”
“I think that’s subjective to determine what is or isn’t professional, but anything that isn’t directly affect your life and isn’t in a PG-13 rating might not be wise to post.” Vokal said, “Memes, arguing politics, drama, vulgar or graphic videos are all not super wise.”
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Source List
Maureen Johnson (313) 577-3390 Johnson is a career counselor at Wayne State University.
“Common Job Interview Mistakes: What NOT to Say or Do” Films Media Group https://www.films.com/ecTitleDetail.aspx?TitleID=23110&r=SR The film was shown at the meeting and provides information to students on how to prepare for a professional job interview.
Sachith Vidanapathirana sachithv@wayne.edu Sachith is a grad student studying at WSU who attended Johnsons meeting.
Justin Hollins fx2021@wayne.edu Justin is a WSU student athlete.
Ryan Miller rmiller97@gmail.com Ryan is a junior at WSU.
Jon Vokal Jonvokal@comcast.net Jon is a business major at Northwood University.