Social Media

Social networking websites, or social media, are online services which allow people to build personal profiles and make connections with others. Social media allows people to share their interests, what they are doing, how they are feeling and other personal details. Some of the most common social networking websites include Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok and Snapchat.

Although social media posts seem informal, information posted on social media may potentially be accessed by your current employer, prospective employers, recruitment agencies, co-workers and others.

Social media during the recruitment stage

Many employers and recruitment agencies use social media to learn more about job applicants and screen candidates. What you share online can both improve and damage your chances of getting a job. Here are some tips to help ensure that a prospective employer will not be put off by your activity on social media.

1. Set your privacy settings to the highest level to minimise opportunities for potential employers to access your profiles.
2. Be aware of the impression created by your posts.
3. Be aware of what information others can access about you online.
4. Clean up your online profiles.
5. Create a positive presence on social media.
6. Play to your audience.

Social media in the employment stage

There are many ways in which the use of social media can affect your current employment. Here are some tips for using social networking websites during your employment.

1. Beware of forming online friendships on social networking websites with your employer and/or colleagues.
2. Read and understand the policies governing social media use if there is one at your workplace.
3. Do not post negative comments about your job, managers or colleagues, whether at work or in your own personal time.
4. Do not spend too much time on social media.
5. Do not disclose confidential information from work on social media.

More information on these tips, as well as bullying and harassment on social media, and dismissal due to social media use, can be found in the attached fact sheet, which we recommend you download.

For further support

Call our Telephone Information Service on Melbourne Metro (03) 9662 1933 or Regional Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania on 1800 331 617.