From social media to personal blogs and portfolios, more and more hiring managers are scouring the web to find information on job applicants.
As stated by Dan Schawbel, Managing Partner of Millennial Branding, “Your first impression isn’t made with a firm handshake – it’s with a Google search.”
So, what does your online presence say about you?
We share some tips to ensure your online presence is prepared for your job hunt to improve your potential as a viable candidate.
Your first impression isn’t made with a firm handshake – it’s with a Google search
– Dan Schawbel, Millenial Branding
According to a survey conducted by Jobvite, 92% of recruiters use social media during the recruitment process. It showed 87% of recruiters are using LinkedIn, 55% are using Facebook, and 47% are using Twitter, among other platforms, to evaluate and engage talent.
Bottom line: what you’ve got on your social media profiles is more than likely to be seen – and scrutinised – by that hiring manager you so desperately want to impress.
So maybe ditch those party pics and edit those typos before you apply for your dream job.
You might also like to sift through your posts to ensure you’re not sharing any controversial opinions, and cut any complaints about your previous job. Either be professional, or make sure your profiles are on private!
92% of recruiters use social media as part of their hiring process
– Recruiter Nation Survey, Jobvite 2015
Don’t be scared off into deleting all your online profiles. If you don’t have an online presence at all, recruiters may think you lack the digital skills required to create one. When someone types your name into Google, it’s not necessarily a good thing if nothing comes up.
Plus, most recruiters rely on LinkedIn to hunt down talent, so if you’re not on the site, you won’t come up during searches.
A good online presence can help increase your visibility and showcase your work. It’s also a great way to share just how knowledgeable and engaged you are in the industry. For example, if you’re applying for positions in digital marketing, you could start a blog that covers all the latest industry news, trends, and best practices to show your genuine interest in the field.
Social media, personal websites, and online portfolios are the perfect excuse to show off what you can do. Just remember to brand yourself in a professional way.
Another great perk of having an online presence is the opportunity to grow your professional network.
And we don’t just mean accepting those LinkedIn connection invitations. We mean developing strong and lasting relationships by staying in touch through email, events, and meetings.
Maintaining an online presence can help build your professional network and raise your profile.
Our specialties
Our specialties
Our offices
More from us
Chandler Macleod acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country. We pay our respects to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and to elders past and present, whose land we stand upon today.
© Chandler Macleod 2025 All rights reserved Sitemap