Social Media: Hindrance or Help?

We recently hit our limit of connections on LinkedIn. 30,000! As one of our most valuable resources, we were saddened to see we could no longer connect with anyone on LinkedIn unless we remove old connections. As recruiters, we use LinkedIn constantly. Whether we’re connecting with potential candidates, clients, or posting about new job opportunities, the limitation led us to wonder (a la Carrie Bradshaw)... when does social media become more of a hindrance than a help? 

For better or for worse, we’re all on social media. In the past decade, we’ve gone from overly filtered, sepia-toned photos of the mundane moments in our lives to consuming every moment of everyone from our favorite influencer to our dog walker’s days. We’ve found ourselves at an inflection point where social media can not only impact your personal life, but your career. 

As recruiters, we’ve seen potential employers use candidates’ social media profiles to judge a potential hire’s taste during the hiring process (this could either excite or terrify you.) What you post or share can be seen as a reflection of your palate in many creative fields. Your social presence is seen as a portfolio instead of a personal outlet. 

With all of this out in the open, it’s more important than ever to not post content that could be seen as unprofessional. Employers often check social media profiles during the hiring process, and inappropriate content may lead them to question your suitability for a role. Our advice to you: perform a sweep across your socials. If you wouldn’t want a potential employer to see a post, archive it!

Once you’ve made it through the hiring process, it’s important to continue monitoring your social media habits. Are you scrolling through TikTok during meetings? Are your Instagram notifications going off all day long? What’s online isn’t just online anymore.

But wait, it’s not all bad! Social media does create some amazing opportunities for those who use it wisely. Curating a presence (ideally an authentic one) can give potential employers a look at the real you. Plus, it’s one of the easiest ways to stay connected to your network. 

Has social media helped or hurt more in your professional life? Tell us what you think.