By Aimee Cartwright

Social media is widely recognised by employers and universities as a crucial tool for assessing students' employability and professionalism. Now's the time for your students to take control of their own futures by embracing Social Digital Record.

How can you support this? By educating students on why their online presence matters, keeping them updated on industry-specific employment vetting standards, and relying on our support to guide students towards a career breakthrough.

Introducing Social Media Checks

Put simply, Social Media Checks empower young people to take control of their Social Digital Record, allowing them to showcase a worry-free SDR (their online check history) to employers and universities.

These online background checks explore potential risks in students' social media posts, likes, shares, followers, and connections, such as:

  • Sexism or racism
  • Endorsement of drugs
  • Explicit content
  • Illegal activity
  • Connections to banned orators or organisations
  • Employer Criticism
  • Confidentiality
  • Bullying or Harassment

With this crucial knowledge in their back pockets, your students can make informed decisions on how to navigate social media safely and professionally. Not just to protect their future employment prospects, but for their personal lives and wellbeing.

This doesn't mean they can't be themselves on social media. What it does mean is that students with identified risks may decide to take action, generating a win-win situation! 🎉

How Social Media Checks Benefit Your Students

Employability & Professionalism

Did you know? Only half of 18-to-24-year-olds are willing to let prospective employers see their social media profiles (1). What if your students represented the other 50%? By taking control of their SDR, your students will stand out as prized job applicants – an invaluable outcome when faced with such a competitive job market.

Branding

SDR Checks provide a powerful insight into a student's personal brand. By putting out positive, professional content that reflects their values, and managing out content that doesn't fit their image, students can use these checks as an advertisement of their strengths.

Reputation

Many students are well-connected online, and the potential reach of just one controversial social media post is boundless. The university student who was expelled for sharing footage of a corpse on social media is just one example of how a single post can threaten a student's and university's reputation for the long term.

Keeping a risk-free SDR means students can protect their reputation and position themselves towards a successful career 🌠

Networking

All students' socials tell a story, but is it the story they think they are showcasing?

When networking, those with a healthy SDR attract professionals, academics and peers who are keen to associate with their positive online identity.

Top Three Tips for Empowering Your Students to Take Control of Their Future

Bolstering students to manage their Social Digital Record aligns with the Office for Students' (OfS) "value for money" guidelines.

The OfS (England's regulator of higher education) expects universities to support their students in succeeding beyond higher education, through resources and effective engagement (2).

With that in mind, here are our top three tips for encouraging your students to prioritise their future through SDI Checks:

1. Ask why

At right2socials, curiosity is encouraged. Before speaking to your students, ask yourself why.

Why are the majority of employers checking social media, why are countless organisations implementing professional Social Media Checks, and why do your students need Social Media Checks?

Through an individualised discussion with us, we are confident that you will see Social Media Checks as the next logical step for your students in securing their future.

2. Prepare your students for industry screening standards

Industries in which Social Media Checks are mandated for employment, such as education and healthcare, require students to be well-informed about the implications of their digital identity.

Equip students with the knowledge that they should take ownership of their own online screening, and they are highly likely to pique an employer's interest due to their professional mindset and attitude.

3. Make the most of our support

We understand that the world of online background checks is overwhelming for many, so we're here to provide valuable support as you approach this journey.

Our exclusive resources enable your students to develop a solid understanding of their SDI and implement expert tips to ensure they are socially verified and professionally set!

Conclusion

Alongside the crucial support of pastoral teams, we help to empower students to shape their own future by scrubbing up their socials.

Our Social Media Checks safeguard reputations, boost employability, and ensure students' online footprint represents the best version of themselves 👩‍🎓

Take Control your Digital Record Today!

Begin your journey www.right2socials.co.uk

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