The Election and the Job Search: Button Down Your Social Media Accounts

What a week! Political pundits are calling the 2016 Presidential Race one for the record books. The displeasure or pleasure with President-elect Trump’s win continues to be splashed all over social media and polite and impolite conversations are still going on days later.

As a job coach I thought I’d pass along this bit of advice. If you are looking for a job or if you are currently in a position that you love and have no intention of leaving, you might want to check your social media security; especially on LinkedIn and Facebook. Why take a chance on messing up your chances for receiving or even keeping a great job?

Here are a few steps to button up your accounts if using a laptop. If you are using the app the steps are similar.

Facebook

1. Go to your named page (the one with your name on it) and click the three buttons next to the words Activity Log.

2. Click “View As”

3. Go towards the top of the page, right above your photo to see, “This is what your Timeline looks like to: Public or View as Specific Person

4. Click Public to see how you would look to a potential hiring manager.

5. Correct your security measures by clicking the lock icon on the top right of your page where it says, “Who can see my Stuff”

6. Where it says “Who can see my future posts”, click friends.

LinkedIn

Stop posting political or personal things. If you insist on using this forum for personal messages do the following.

1. Go to your Profile page and by your photo, click View Profile As

2. Up on the top, under the banner you will see, “This is what your profile looks like to:” and a box with a drop down menu.

3. Click Public

4. If you don’t like what you see, click Return to Your Page

5. Click the little gear icon under your photograph and LinkedIn URL. This takes you to your Public Profile page.

6. On the top right it will Your Public Profile URL. Change your settings by checking or unchecking what you would like the public to see and hitting Save..

Check your Instagram account too and any others that might be iffy. Remember, a hiring manager may Google you after receiving your resume. Make it easier on both of you by buttoning up your profiles. This goes for anything; not just politics. Why take unnecessary chances? 

There are a number of articles on the legality of hiring or firing based upon political beliefs. Please take a look at these for additional information.