Social Media Smarts: What Hiring Managers Really Want to See

• Clara Taylor
• January 16, 2025
• Newsletter Article

In today’s job market, a strong online presence is crucial. This article offers tips on cleaning up your social media profiles, optimizing your LinkedIn, and avoiding negative online behavior to impress hiring managers. Maintain a professional, positive digital footprint to enhance your job search success.

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Having an online profile now and maintaining clean social media profiles matter more than ever. We increasingly live online, and that includes job hunting. Hiring managers are often just a quick search away from discovering more about you than what you listed on your resume.

 

This shouldn’t necessarily scare you – it’s actually an opportunity! When approached thoughtfully, your online presence can showcase your skills, professionalism, and personality in a way that impresses potential employers.

 

Clean It Up

Use this time to clean up your social media profile; maybe what you thought was cool and looked funny in college isn’t amusing anymore. Ask yourself: “Would I be comfortable if a hiring manager saw this?”

 

Start by removing any content that could raise red flags, such as:

• Photos or posts involving excessive partying.
• Negative comments about past employers or colleagues (a major red flag).
• Offensive jokes, inappropriate memes, or overly polarizing opinions.

 

That doesn’t mean scrubbing your profiles of all personality! Employers understand you’re human and have a life outside work. Instead, aim to keep your profiles professional, appropriate, and a proud representation of the person you are today.

 

Lean into Your LinkedIn Profile

Ok so maybe the hiring manager doesn’t have TikTok, so they won’t find you there, but you bet they will find you on LinkedIn!

 

If you’re actively job hunting, your LinkedIn profile is the perfect tool to showcase your skills and experience.

• Update your headshot
• Refresh your bio
• Complete every section
• Be active

 

Watch What You Are Doing

You have cleaned up your social media profile and are in a place where you feel they accurately represent yourself- superb! Always remember that your digital interactions leave a trail. Even if it’s not on your profile, inappropriate comments or behaviors on others’ posts can be linked to you.

 

Avoid:

• Engaging in online arguments or drama.
• Sharing or liking inappropriate content.
• Publicly criticizing individuals or organizations.

 

Instead, focus on engaging thoughtfully. Comment on industry-related posts, share insightful articles or celebrate professional milestones. This keeps your digital footprint aligned with your career goals.

 

Hopefully, these tips & tricks will help you maintain your professional social media habits! For more information, head over to AgCareers.com today.

 

Read here for Social Media Mistakes to Avoid in the Job Search!