A former Googler who started a job site says you should assume employers will find your social media — but you don't need to panic

pulse

March 7, 2018 10:17 PM

CEO and former Googler Liz Wessel of WayUp says you don't need to scrub your social media profiles completely during a job hunt.

• Google alum and WayUp CEO Liz Wessel has some advice on getting your social media presence up to snuff during a job search.

• She said drastic actions — like removing your name from all your accounts — aren't necessary.

• You've just got to think long and hard about the image you're putting out there, according to Wessel.

Google alum and WayUp CEO Liz Wessel said job searchers don't have to go to extremes to make a good impression on social media.

"You don't have to change your name on your Facebook page or anything like that," she told Business Insider.

Wessel left Google to co-found WayUp, a job platform for college students and early-stage professionals. She said that it's best to simply exercise good judgment about what you're posting, and how it might come across to recruiters and potential employers.

"Especially if you are someone who really wants to rant on Twitter and post extremely strong views about politics, for example," she said.

You don't have to bottle up your opinions. Just consider whether or not they will have a negative impact on your career, said Wessel. And if you're worried that your posting habits might lead to issues, it can't hurt to switch your settings on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to private.

After all, recruiters will be checking. In 2017, CareerBuilder found that 70% employers snoop on their candidates' social media profiles.

Then again, Wessel said it's also fine if you decide that you wouldn't want to work for an organization offended by your political beliefs, sense of humor, or lifestyle.

You've just got to be honest with yourself about what you're posting and what you want potential employers to see.

For example, a social media feed cluttered with photos of parties and red solo cups might be best kept private, if that's not the image you want out there during your job search.

"All that says is you really love drinking," Wessel said. "Which is fine, if you do. All I'm saying is, at the end of the day, you should try to be professional if you're looking for a job, because they probably are going to Google you and look you up on things like Facebook and Twitter and Instagram and so on."

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