The “Job Hunter” Cleanse: How to Sanitize Your Social Media Before an Interview

You have the perfect resume and the perfect suit. But before you walk into that interview, remember: the hiring manager has already Googled you. 70% of employers screen candidates’ social media. That funny tweet from college could be the reason you don’t get the offer.

The “Red Flags” Employers Look For

It’s not just about illegal activity. HR managers reject candidates for:

  • Complaining about previous employers: “My boss is such a jerk” is an instant rejection.

  • Poor communication skills: Excessive profanity or aggressive arguments in comments.

  • Controversial “Hot Takes”: Polarizing political or social rants that suggest you might be difficult to work with.

How to “Deep Clean” Your Digital Footprint

  1. Google Yourself (Image Search too): See what comes up. That old MySpace photo might still be indexed.

  2. Change Privacy Settings: Lock down Facebook and Instagram to “Friends Only” immediately.

  3. The “Grandma Test”: Scroll through your X (Twitter) feed. If you wouldn’t want your grandmother to read it, delete it.

  4. Create “Good” Content: Don’t just delete; create. Update your LinkedIn with industry articles so that recruiters find professional content first.

Need a professional scrub? Our Personal Reputation Cleanup tools scan years of posts to find and flag risky content automatically.

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