Whether we like it or not, it is quite a standard practice for recruiters and hiring managers to google potential candidates online before making a job offer. A quick search allows you to gather information beyond what’s presented on a resume or in an interview. The harsh truth is that it could potentially influence hiring decisions, both in a positive or negative direction.
What Information Employers are Seeking
Everyone who has been in the shoes of a hiring manager knows that the hiring process summarized with the onboarding period is very costly for a company, especially when talking about recruitment on C-level. A wrong recruiting decision is calculated not only in lost money, but also in lost time resources, business opportunities, projects and reputation. Therefore, it is natural that every stone needs to be lifted to check the best fit of the new hire. While skills and qualifications are best seen in resumes, then culture and personal qualifications often reflect best in other (digital) channels.
By checking online profiles, employers usually verify information that a candidate has given throughout the recruitment process. Social media profiles and public databases can confirm education, employment history, and professional achievements, candidate’s values, communication style and public behavior. Also, employers look for signs of unprofessional behavior, such as disrespectful language, controversial posts, or inappropriate photos, which may indicate risk for the company’s reputation. In Sweden, it is quite common to check the public criminal record before making a job proposal.
Employers look for signs of unprofessional behavior, such as disrespectful language, controversial posts, or inappropriate photos, which may indicate risk for the company’s reputation. In Sweden, it is quite common to check the public criminal record before making a job proposal.
The Ethical Dilemmas
Inevitably, while this practice can help confirm a candidate’s qualifications, it also raises questions about privacy issues and possible biases. Not all online information is relevant or appropriate to consider in a hiring decision, and viewing personal details can feel like an invasion of privacy. Viewing a candidate’s online presence may lead to unintentional biases, especially if employers encounter information unrelated to job performance, like political views or lifestyle choices.
Be in Charge of Your Online Presence!
The good news is that you can change your online image by taking charge of your media channels to ensure your online presence supports your career ambitions. Here are some tips:
Start with Googling yourself
Search your own name to see what employers might find. Don’t forget to click through Google Image search, Youtube videos, Facebook public profile, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter accounts, etc. People tend to first turn to Image search results, focus on these results first.
Clean up your social media
Delete or archive any posts that might be seen as unprofessional or controversial. Set privacy settings to control who can see personal posts. Information found online may be outdated, incomplete, or even incorrect, leading employers to make judgments based on false data.
Right to be forgotten
Contact the online channels and Google about the posts that you find inappropriate about you and ask to get them removed. This might not always work, but in some cases there is success. Get acquainted with GDPR regulations and if needed, ask advice from a lawyer.
Build your professional image
Create a LinkedIn profile that showcases your skills and expertise that you want to emphasize. Consider creating a professional website or blog – this would be the channel fully in your control and you have the possibility to present your professional image from the perspective that best represents you.
Create a LinkedIn profile that showcases your skills and expertise that you want to emphasize. Consider creating a professional website or blog – this would be the channel fully in your control and you have the possibility to present your professional image from the perspective that best represents you.
Your personal brand exists whether you create it for yourself or not. Don't let it be formed by random pieces of information found in the internet and social media channels. Take charge of your image and online presence and build your confidence for your next business meeting or job interview.
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