Job Seekers: Is Having the Wrong Social Presence Better Than Not Having One at All?

It might be hard to believe but there are still people out there who have not given in to the temptation and joined the social universe. These people don't have Facebook, Twitter, Google+, or blog or any other type of social account. I've met them as students in my college classroom and as colleagues and fellow community members. On the other hand, there are many more that have joined the assorted social networks but are "over-sharing".  I've also had these in my classroom and as friends and acquaintances. Members from both these groups are currently looking for work or will be very soon. The U.S. Unemployment Rate is 8.5% and with new job seekers entering the picture each month, competition for jobs continues to increase.

So I ask the question, is having the "wrong" social presence better than not having one at all?

More and more frequently, Human Resource Managers and Hiring Managers are reviewing the digital identities of their top applicants to learn about their character as well as their attitude. Posting photos of yourself in compromising positions, posting about "risky" behavior or ranting about negative experiences will certainly put a damper on your job prospects, but posting nothing at all may be worse. Developing within the business world is an expectation of social connectivity. More and more brands are actively engaging in social media campaigns and monitor daily news and discussions on the topics that are relevant to their business.  They expect this same level of engagement from their employees and potential employees. Not being socially savvy may translate to not being web savvy or engaged in a continuous learning process. Not having any social profile also leaves your identity up to speculation or interpretation.

For those out there who do have active social profiles, here are my top 5 Tips for a Successful Job Seeker.

1) Clean up your act. Delete any photos that show you in an unflattering light. This includes photos of you out with your buddies at the bar, revealing or tacky Halloween costumes and even some pictures you're not even in but show content that not everyone will appreciate. And it doesn't matter if you have your profile privacy setting at high alert (which I recommend); there are still ways to get to those images.

2) Limit the amount of profanity you write if you're a potty-mouth. Excessive foul language is a red flag to potential employers. It is a sign that you may have anger management issues or might be a harassment risk.

3) Don't be negative all of the time. This just shows that you can't be pleased and are likely to create a negative vibe in the workplace.

4) Add value to your relationships. Be encouraging, share useful information and be a part of the conversation.

5) Just be you. Don't create a persona you think a potential employer wants to see, they want to see you and they can spot a falsified account a mile away.

For those out there that still don't have a single social profile. Get one. LinkedIn.com is probably the best place to start. LinkedIn is a professional networking site and a source for job leads. The importance of having a social profile will vary by industry, but don't let the lack of one stand between you and your career.