There are many advantages and disadvantages for using your social profile in your resume. Many of these are dependent on the content of your social profile. When you submit a profile in this day in age, many employers want to see your Facebook, Twitter, etc. social media accounts to see what kind of person you really are outside of the interview. You may want to use it, but then again it may be something that you should avoid entirely. Let’s take a look at the pros and the cons of this act.
A Look at the Advantages
There can be a few advantages to providing such information to allow your potential future boss to snoop through your social page, assuming of course they would be able to see anything you have based on the privacy settings you have chosen.
If you are the type of person that says many positive things and posts motivational posters, the employer might take this as a great asset to the company to have an employee that encourages others and can stay positive in tough situations.
Maybe you are the type of person that is strictly business and is always posting things about work long after the work day has ended. This could very well perceived as being someone that will put in an extreme amount of effort and likely go above and beyond to do a great job and be willing to take extra time outside of work to make sure the job is done right.
Another positive thing about linking your social media to your resume is one of almost default if you are well behaved on your account. By the shear fact that you don’t have many negative or inappropriate posts and comments on your page, your potential employer will be able to see that you are above the odds.
It is almost a rarity now for individuals to be respectful with their posts, what they say, and the pictures they post on their social media account. It has become much more commonplace to have vulgar, sexual, or a complaining attitude about life which is unfavorable for future employers.
A Look at the Downsides
Posting your social media to your resume also has its downside if you might potentially have things that are unfavorable that you allow or post to your profile. If you link your profile information to your job resume and you post inappropriate pictures of yourself or of others on your profile, a potential employer will take this as very unfavorable.
Employers want their employees decent inside and outside of work so there is little chance of embarrassment and sexual harassment charges popping up. Another unfavorable posts on social media would be extremely political correctness like racial comments, profanity, and any sort of discrimination. Future employers are very weary of having to deal with problems between employers that can cause potential legal problems.
If they know someone they are looking at hiring has already showed signs of these situations without anyone telling them they can’t, that is a huge red flag. Lastly, some people constantly whine and complain about anything and everything possible on their social media account. This is something that can turn a potential employer off quicker than anything. They will see this and be immediately annoyed with this person and know that they will most likely complain about everything at work too if they were hired on.
Weigh the Facts
As you can see there are both advantages as well as disadvantages of adding your social media with your resume. Whether or not it is something that you should do should be determined after you have taken a look at the pros and the cons. For some people it can do wonders for landing a job, but for others it could do just the opposite.
Consider all sides before your resume is created, and only after you are confident that you are making the right decision should you start your piece. Your resume is one of the most important papers you will ever have. Make it count and put only the information in it that will enhance and excel you.
