Clean up your digital presence for internship success

Did you know that 70% of employers check social media profiles as part of the hiring process? When applying for internships, your online presence matters as much as your resume.

Cleaning up your social media doesn’t mean changing who you are; it’s about putting your best foot forward and managing what potential employers see.

1. Adjust Privacy Settings

Make sure your privacy settings reflect how much of your profile you want the public to see. For instance:

• Limit visibility of tagged photos to friends only.
• Set personal posts or old albums to “friends only” or archive them if you prefer to keep them hidden altogether.
• Review the privacy settings on each platform, as they may differ. Facebook, Instagram, X / Twitter and LinkedIn all have unique options for controlling visibility.

2. Delete or Archive Unprofessional Content

Go through your posts and delete or archive anything that might leave a negative impression. Consider:

• Removing any posts or comments with strong language, controversial opinions, or inappropriate humor.
• Deleting photos or videos that may seem unprofessional—such as party photos or anything that doesn’t align with the image you want to present.
• If you’re unsure, ask yourself: “Would I feel comfortable with an employer seeing this?” If not, it’s probably worth hiding or deleting.

3.Highlight Your Best Content

Use social media to showcase your interests and achievements. Examples include:

• Sharing articles or content related to the industry you’re interested in.
• Posting about volunteer work, extracurricular achievements, or personal projects that show commitment and skills.
• Updating LinkedIn to include recent accomplishments, coursework, or relevant skills.

4. Be Mindful of Tagged Content

Friends may tag you in posts or photos that don’t reflect your professional side. To manage this:

• On Facebook, turn on the “Timeline Review” feature to approve tags before they appear on your profile.
• Regularly check tagged photos on Instagram and untag yourself from anything that feels out of place.
• Politely ask friends to avoid tagging you in certain posts if necessary.

5.Curate Your LinkedIn Profile

LinkedIn is often the first place employers look, so make sure it’s professional and polished:

• Use a clear, professional photo for your profile picture.
• Update your headline to reflect your skills or career goals. Instead of “Student at XYZ University,” try “Aspiring Marketing Professional | Social Media Enthusiast.”
• Ensure your experience and skills sections are up to date, and consider adding volunteer work or projects that showcase your abilities.

6. Search Yourself Online

Finally, do a quick search of your name to see what comes up. If there’s outdated or unwanted information, take steps to remove it or push it down in search results by posting new, positive content.

Taking the time to clean up your social media shows that you’re thoughtful about your online presence. A polished profile not only helps you make a positive impression but also gives employers a glimpse into your best self. Good luck with your internship search!

Pro Tips:

• Do: regularly update your LinkedIn with new skills, experiences and connections.
• Don’t: Post anything online that you would not be comfortable discussing in a job interview.
• Do: Use social media to network with professionals and share industry insights.
• Don’t let your social media profiles cost you opportunities. Make sure it is working for you, not against you.