A big part of my job is interacting with people on LinkedIn. The number of political posts is on the rise the closer we get to November's Election Day. When I see these posts I can't help but click into the comments to browse how LI Professionals are showing up.  I'd like to say it's mind-blowing commentary, but I'd be lying. It does make me question if the LI Professionals posting or commenting on their political views are thinking about how their words impact their future, how their colleagues view them, or who has the potential to see those words.

 As a job seeker- In today's digital age, a candidate's online presence plays a crucial role in the hiring process. Recruiters and hiring managers review social media profiles, online postings, and other digital footprints to gain insights into a candidate's personality, values, and potential fit for their organization. While this practice may seem invasive, it has become an essential part of the modern recruitment process.

When it comes to the job search, it's often best to leave political views and discussions out of the equation. A professional, non-partisan approach is generally the most effective way to present oneself to potential employers. While it's understandable to have strong political views, expressing them openly on social media or in online forums can inadvertently create biases and assumptions about a candidate's ability to work in a diverse, inclusive environment regardless of what your views are.

Recruiters and hiring managers assess a candidate's online presence not only for content but also for tone and behavior. Rude, derogatory, or extreme comments can open a candidates up to bias and negative assumptions about how they might interact with colleagues, customers, or clients. After all, the best predictor of future behavior is often past behavior. The way a candidate conducts themselves online can be interpreted as a reflection of how they might conduct themselves in a professional setting.

Personally, as a Recruiter, I've made decisions on whether I reach out to a candidate or pass them on to a hiring manager based on what they are publicly posting or commenting on LinkedIn. My job is the present the best-qualified candidates and interpersonal skills are important to consider when adding to a team. At a previous employer, I saw a Senior Leader at my company post a sexist, derogatory comment about a female not earning her job/title by merit, but by performing sexual acts for her superiors. This was on LinkedIn. It made being around him uncomfortable and I lost trust in his ability to lead. I had doubts he respected me as a person because of his comment. Below are a few examples of comments by real people on LinkedIn. From these comments, one can assume that the original posters may not like women, immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community, or specific types of men. The point is when you have a handful of equally qualified candidates, are you going to choose the one who is maintaining a professional inclusive online presence or someone who is not?

To navigate the digital landscape successfully, job seekers should carefully review and curate their online presence. This may involve deleting or adjusting the privacy settings on certain social media posts, ensuring that any public-facing content is professional and appropriate, and focusing on highlighting their skills, experience, and fit for a role rather than controversial topics. A good rule of thumb is- if you don’t have something nice to say/post/comment/share, don’t say/post/comment/share anything at all.

By maintaining a professional, inclusive online profile, job seekers can increase their chances of success in the hiring process. Employers are looking for candidates who can contribute to a positive, collaborative work environment, and a thoughtful approach to one's digital presence can go a long way in demonstrating that quality.  By keeping politics out of the workplace, and focusing on maintaining a professional, inclusive digital footprint, job seekers can improve their chances of standing out in a competitive job market. What does your digital footprint say about your political views?