by Rat Race Rebellion
Before you apply for any job—especially a remote job—take a few minutes to look at your social media profiles.
And not just Facebook.
Employers routinely check LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, X, Reddit, and even public comments on YouTube or Facebook Groups. For remote roles, where hiring managers may never meet you in person, your online presence can carry even more weight.
Employers Do Look You Up
Multiple employer surveys over the years (including CareerBuilder and similar hiring studies) have consistently shown that a majority of employers research candidates online before making a hiring decision—and many say they’ve decided not to hire someone based on what they found.
In past surveys, employers reported rejecting candidates for reasons such as:
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Posting provocative or inappropriate photos, videos, or content
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Public posts about excessive drinking or drug use
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Discriminatory or hateful comments
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Evidence of criminal behavior
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Lying about qualifications or experience
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Poor communication skills
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Bad-mouthing previous employers or coworkers
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Unprofessional usernames or bios
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Sharing confidential employer information
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Oversharing personal drama or posting excessively
While the exact percentages shift year to year, the trend has not changed: what you post online can absolutely cost you a job opportunity.
The Flip Side: Social Media Can HELP You Get Hired
The good news? Employers have also reported positive hiring decisions based on what they found online.
Hiring managers say they’re more likely to move forward when they see:
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Your background aligns with the role you’re applying for
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A professional, respectful online presence
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Clear communication skills
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Creativity or problem-solving ability
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Evidence you’re well-rounded and reliable
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Awards, accomplishments, or recognition
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Positive interactions with others
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Thoughtful comments or helpful posts
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Engagement with the company’s content
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Examples of strong writing, video, or customer communication
For remote jobs, this matters even more. Employers want to know:
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Can you communicate clearly?
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Are you professional when no one is watching?
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Would they trust you to represent the company online?
Your public social presence often answers those questions for them.
A Quick Self-Audit (Worth Doing Before You Apply)
Before you hit submit on your next application, do this:
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Google your name
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Check your public profiles while logged out
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Review profile photos, bios, usernames, and recent posts
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Skim comments—not just posts
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Look at your content through the eyes of a stranger
Ask yourself honestly:
Would you hire you based on what you see?
If the answer is “maybe,” “probably not,” or “it depends,” now is the perfect time to clean things up—privacy settings, old posts, bios, profile photos, and all.
One Final Reminder
You don’t need to be boring.
You don’t need to erase your personality.
But you do need to be intentional.
A few small changes can remove unnecessary red flags—and sometimes even turn your online presence into an asset instead of a liability.
Looking for legitimate, hand-picked work-from-home job leads?
Be sure to check out our Newest Jobs & Gigs page at Rat Race Rebellion, sign up for our free newsletter, and explore our free video-based course on finding real remote jobs.
May you be working from home soon. 
The post Is Your Social Media Presence Hurting Your Chances of Getting Hired? appeared first on Rat Race Rebellion.
* This article was originally published here
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