Index Understanding Digital Footprints Red Flags Employers Look for Building a Digital Presence That Reflects Professionalism

Understanding Digital Footprints

A digital footprint is the sum of all online activities of a person. It is the virtual mark one leaves on the web and extends across all social platforms with which they engage, including LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram to mention a few. The question that puzzles most people is how to understand the connection between a person’s digital footprint and their job recruitment efforts. A survey conducted by CareerBuilder has shown that 70% of employers use social media to screen candidates during the hiring process, while 54% have rejected candidates based on what they have found online. 

Increasingly, the use of a digital footprint is being included by recruiters and background check companies as a supplementary tool to assess candidates. Evaluating a person’s digital footprint does not only help identify red flags; it may also allow recruiters to identify positive indicators of whether the candidate fits the organization’s culture and values. For instance, a well-maintained LinkedIn profile showcasing endorsements, and professional achievements, can be a significant asset and reflect positively on a candidate.

From entry-level positions to C-suite vacancies, recruiters don’t hesitate to notice social media posts on industry expertise or assess an Instagram portfolio to find the perfect graphic designer for their brand. For example, a software developer actively contributed to GitHub and Stack Overflow, solving complex coding issues and helping others. This visible expertise landed him several interview calls from tech firms who found this work and was interested in the candidate. This illustrates the impact of a digital footprint on today’s recruitment process. By building a thoughtful and professional digital presence, individuals can narrate their career stories in ways that traditional resumes cannot. 

Red Flags Employers Look for 

However, the digital footprint is a double-edged sword in the recruitment process. While it does provide a window into a candidate’s personality and interests, it may also reveal behaviors and attitudes that may disqualify them from consideration for a role. A 2023 Harris Poll found that 55% of employers have decided not to hire a candidate based on their social media profiles. As shocking as the statistics are, they help understand the reality of this approach. 

When scrutinizing social media, employers often look for the following: 

• Inappropriate Content: Posts or images involving excessive partying, drug use, or nudity can signal a lack of judgment or professionalism.
• Discriminatory Language: Comments that reflect sexism, racism, or any form of bigotry can immediately disqualify a candidate, as they pose a risk to workplace culture and compliance.
• Unprofessional Behavior: Publicly criticizing former employers, and colleagues, or sharing overly negative content about work-related topics creates an impression of unreliability, or general discontent.

There are many real-time scenarios where improper tweets and harmless jests on Facebook resulted in missed opportunities. In 2022, a job applicant was rejected after recruiters found tweets with discriminatory remarks, which later went viral. This ruined the candidate’s chance at the role and damaged their reputation for future opportunities. In addition to this, a software engineer who applied for a senior position was flagged after an older Facebook post resurfaced where they joking about hacking into systems. Even though the post was intended as humor, the employer saw it as a red flag.

As the hiring landscape evolves, candidates need to treat their social media presence as an extension of their professional image. If taken seriously, posting thought-provoking content can be a game changer for any potential candidate fostering a trusting relationship with potential employers. 

Building a Digital Presence That Reflects Professionalism

Landing a job through social media presence is no longer an unbelievable reality. Numerous cases worldwide testify to the power of a candidate's digital footprint and the strategic role it can play in securing a desired position. 

However, the steps to achieving a strong digital presence remain unclear to some. Although there is no single path to foster a positive and influential social media presence, being positive in the content and influencing the concerned audience through posts, images, and words can be monumental. 

Strategic Steps to Build a Professional Digital Presence

Maximizing LinkedIn for Visibility and Credibility
LinkedIn is the most influential social app out there, especially in the corporate world. It’s a professional’s living resume, which gets updated and with references and recommendations from valuable connections, and it can elevate the integrity of a candidate.

These simple steps can be effective in optimizing LinkedIn profiles for better job opportunities.

• A professional headshot and an impactful headline can set the tone for how individuals are perceived.
  
• Regular updates to skills, roles and achievements, and thought leadership articles reinforce credibility and subject matter expertise.
• Engaging with industry-relevant discussions showcase a candidate’s intellectual curiosity and leadership potential. 

Striking the Right Balance Between Personal and Professional
Another factor to consider in enhancing a professional digital presence is the thin line between personal expression and professional conduct. Platforms like Instagram and Twitter (X) are as significant as LinkedIn for some people. For example, an interior designer’s use of Instagram reels to demonstrate room makeovers led to collaborations with international furniture brands, showcasing the power of creative marketing. That cannot be done on LinkedIn and that’s the power of organic content. 

These simple steps can be effective in optimizing social media:

• Personal posts should remain private when they don’t align with the professional image one seeks to portray.
• Public engagement should demonstrate thoughtfulness and a clear understanding of professional boundaries.
• Avoid overly controversial topics or commentary.