This document discusses how social media is increasingly being used by employers and universities to evaluate applicants. It notes that 30% of admissions officers and 93% of hiring managers use social media to learn more about candidates. Specifically, they look at profiles to get a sense of who candidates are outside of applications and interviews. The document warns that inappropriate, provocative or negative social media posts can negatively impact acceptance and hiring decisions. It emphasizes the importance of cultivating a positive social media presence to gain competitive advantages in life opportunities.

1. Make It or Break It
How Your Social Media Reputation Is Controlling Your Future
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Jackie Muru

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The digital footprint that people create
has the potential to play a role in the
admission and hiring process.

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As the use of social media increases,
future employers and admission officers
are using this as a tool to gain exclusive
information on an applicant.

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are used to gain a
further insight
on candidates
and students,
digging deeper
than an
application
giving a sense of
who they are.
SOCIAL MEDIA PROFILES

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30% of admission officers
use social media to discover
more about a candidate
9

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“I think it’s just a way to see
who people are outside of the
classroom and I think it can be
a proper basis of admission.”
-Kevin Vitalis Kudah 7

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The number of employers that utilize
social media sites such as Facebook
and LinkedIn in the hiring process
continues to grow

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93% of hiring managers
review a potential candidate’s
social media before making a
hiring decision
4

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“From their perspective it’s a tool to
see if employees are going to fit into a
workplace culture and..
..It’s too risky not to look.”
1
- Suzanne Bowness

10. SOCIAL MEDIA
is the new business card
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Your resume, cover letters and interviews
are being replaced by your
social media profiles

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This could have a
POSITIVE
or
NEGATIVE
Impact

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are some examples of negative
behavior that hurts candidates in the
decision making process.
INAPPROPRIATE, PROVACATIVE AND NEGATIVE POSTS

14. d
In 2006, a student was denied her
teaching degree because of a photo of
her intoxicated on MySpace.
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6

15. a
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Of rejected
candidates is a result
of online content
70%
6

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EVERYTHING
And forgets
NOTHING”
“The internet records
6
- Jeffrey Rosen

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As technology evolves, as does
NEW THREATS
TO OUR PRIVACY

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In Order To Be Successful
We Must Utilize Social Media To Our Advantage

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has become the requirement
Keeping our social media profiles up to date

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A strong social media reputation
works as a
COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

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A senior on the waitlist for UCLA
used a twitter campaign to
gain the attention of the
admittance officers
He is currently enrolled at UCLA
8

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Social Media’s has the impact to
MAKE OR BREAK
Crucial future decisions

23. It is
ESSENTIAL
To maintain a
POSITIVE
& STRONG
social media presence
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24. WORK CITED
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Web. 11 June 2015.
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2015.
3. Cohen, Kat. "The Truth About Social Media and Admissions." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 23 May 2013. Web.
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2015.
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2015.
6. Rosen, Jeffrey. “The Web Means The End Of Forgetting.” The New York Times. 24, July 2010. Web. 11 June 2015.
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June 2015.
8. Singer, Natasha. “In College Admissions, Social Media Can Be A Double-edged Sword. New York Times. N.P. 11 Nov. 2013.
Web. 11 June 2015.
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Web. 11 June 2015.
10. Smith, Jacquelyn. “How Social Media Can Help (Or Hurt) You In Your Job Search.” Forbe