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Kimberly Ludwig

161

Graphic Designer (Adobe CS)/ Technical Writer

06/02/20 at 3:45PM UTC

Career

Is my support of the current movement on social media hurting my job search?

I am wondering is my job search affected by posting on FB addressing my support for the current movement? Yesterday I submitted a couple of applications, and recently I have been vocal in the support of the George Floyd movement (Just thinking of the images that I saw still brings me to tears.) Today I received a response to one that they are "selecting other candidates to consider at this time.". I believe I am a good enough candidate for the position to get an interview. I have had it in the back of my mind since some response to my post were not met with the same understanding. Today, I decided to delete some of my posts with the thought that my profile may be viewed and judgement made based on my profile instead of my qualifications for the job. Am I wrong to think this can effect my job search? I do know that deleting my posts was wrong, and I did it remorsefully.

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S. Maly Ohrenschall

Customer service leader and change agent

06/02/20 at 7:36PM UTC

Your social media presence will leave a permanent footprint of you and many companies look for social media presence. You can reduce your risk by keep your profiles private and limiting responses on public threads. Ultimately, you need to make the decision of what you are comfortable with future employers seeing about you, what risk that represents to your financial freedom and what their judgement of your views tells you about your fit within their company culture. It's absolutely valid to worry about that. It has taken me over a decade into my career to feel comfortable in my financial position and my convictions to be comfortable posting my views freely. It's smart that you are thinking about this and I can only encourage you to explore how this would impact you and if you are ready for that.

Alison Harris

324

Global Digital Marketing Leader

06/02/20 at 6:38PM UTC

I'm glad you're speaking up, it needs to happen. I also completely understand the fear, I'm right there with you. I also recognize that discomfort as part of change happening for good. As for being disqualified for your political beliefs: yes, it can happen, but, to parrot what Anonymous said, "do you really want to work for a company that ISN'T supportive," during this time? And, to add to that, I don't think a company is that quick at checking social media after receiving an application. Though I admire your optimism for their efficiency :D

Ruth A. Ford, PHR

397

HR guru/EEO Specialist

06/02/20 at 6:09PM UTC

There could be a slew of reasons you weren't selected to move forward in the process...so, it's very possible your recent social media posts have nothing to with you not moving forward. However, what you are posting on social media is a valid concern during a job search (and beyond), as some employers and/or hiring managers might take it upon themselves to see what they can find out about you by checking to see what your social media foot print looks like. Very generally speaking, you should always be careful what you post because others can screen shot it, which means even if you delete/remove something, it might still live on. I would also suggest that you keep all of your social media profiles private as opposed to public. Even without the job search issue, I think that's just good advice. I work for a public entity (and I'm also in the world of HR and recruiting) so I am very careful about what I post, what I respond to and even who I engage with online. Again, I think that's just solid advice, even when you're not in the midst of a job search. Good luck with your search! :-)

Kimberly Ludwig

161

Graphic Designer (Adobe CS)/ Technical Writer

06/02/20 at 6:17PM UTC

Thank you very much.! Yes I agree there are more factors than just social media posts for a decision on an application. I appreciate your advice and even though it is hard to stay quiet especially during these times wanting to help and be a part of the solution, I need to be more careful moving forward. Again thank you.

Ruth A. Ford, PHR

397

HR guru/EEO Specialist

06/02/20 at 6:24PM UTC

I love that you don't want to stay quiet! Thank you for that. Wishing you all the best with your search. :-)

Anonymous

06/02/20 at 5:29PM UTC

Unfortunately I think that every thing with your name on it on social media is public and yes, that may be used against you in a job search. However, the question is whether you really would have been happy somewhere (assuming that you have a financial choice, which I realize is not true for many people these days) where you are judged negatively for supporting social justice causes...Bottom line. I wouldn't be so hard on yourself for deleting your social posts. We're all struggling in one way or another at this time. Be kind to yourself.