Approximately 40% of US employees believe that having an active social media presence can hurt someone’s career, according to a new poll. Only 37% indicated it as an advantage, with younger employees more likely to believe this is the case.
The poll suggests that approximately 51% of Gen Zs and 38% of Millennials believe that social media may help their career. In contrast, only 34% of Gen X employees and 23% of Baby Boomers agree that social media can help careers. More than 40% of Gen Z and Baby Boomers indicated that a personal social media presence is more likely to hurt a career.
Use of social media platforms
According to HCAMag, the findings align with recent polls about how younger workers use social media platforms to look for career advice or find job opportunities. EduBirdie last year revealed that 70% of Gen Z Americans are turning to TikTok for career advice. It even helped them increase their salary (25%) and secure a job (23%).
More than half of hiring managers in the US expressed their willingness to consider candidates who apply via the company’s social media platforms, especially hiring managers in the Gen Z age group. According to ASA’s CEO Richard Wahlquist, an active social media presence can “make or break years of hard work in the blink of an eye.”
He said that although younger generations may see social media as a tool to advance their careers, they should keep in mind that employers will also look at their content.
The Harvard Business Review (HBR) says that “your social media presence can make or break your job search. Tapping into your network’s connections and ideas can give you an edge, but it’s critical to be savvy and maintain professionalism.”
The HBR’s top do’s and don’ts:
Do:
- Optimise your profile across professional networking platforms by incorporating relevant keywords to appeal to both human recruiters and algorithms.
- Embrace social media’s interactivity by creating posts that spark interest and encourage conversation.
- Come across as optimistic and upbeat when posting about your job search — your future employer is watching.
Don’t:
- Overlook the importance of tidying up your online presence; remove sensitive information, secure personal accounts, and be deliberate about what you post.
- Limit developing your professional network to active job searches; instead, continuously refine your connections over time, focusing on both quantity and quality.
- Neglect your social media presence once you’ve secured a job — keep your network engaged by sharing work achievements and updates.
