Staying connected to family, friends, and updated on the latest news and trends is a necessity. It’s no different in the Philippines.
That’s why social media is a mainstay for Filipinos; just as it is for Americans and everybody across the globe. In fact, more than 74 million people in the Philippines have Facebook accounts.
Not only is social media a popular way to stay in touch and post updates, but employers are also now using social media to learn more about current and prospective employees.
It may seem harmless, following or friending your workers on social media, but some critics do caution against it. It makes sense to connect through professional platforms like LinkedIn. But for more personal platforms like Facebook, Instagram or TikTok, experts caution against it. However, sometimes this can’t be avoided especially when the workers themselves connect with their co-workers, bosses, and business pages.
As a business owner, connecting with online Filipino specialists on social media can have certain advantages, especially during the recruitment process.
Social Media is an ideal way to assess job candidates
As you’re looking through the onlinejobs.ph database for potential virtual assistants, you will no doubt find some who stand out. In addition to examining their profiles and resumes, use social media to learn what these individuals are up to. Here are some of the things you can find out about prospective employees by following them on social media:
- Where they currently work (or if they’re currently working) and who they’re currently working for.
- Work history. Most social media users will list not only their current job but the last few places they’ve been as well.
- Behavior and attitude. Reading just a few posts will usually reveal what your potential VA is like. Is this person the right fit for your business? Is this person going to do anything that would embarrass you? Do they seem to get along with others? Do they troll people?
- Lifestyle. Social media sites will show you what your prospective VA likes to do in their spare time. You can see whether they participate in questionable activities or if they are affiliated with controversial groups. You can also learn about their family and others interests and pursuits. All of these can be very insightful.
See how your VA’s interests can help your business
Your VA probably isn’t going to open up to you about things they like to do when they’re off the clock. But on social media, most people would enthusiastically post for everyone to see things they ordinarily wouldn’t talk about with their bosses.
That’s where you can discover your VAs talents, hobbies and passions. Maybe your Filipino worker has artistic talents that they only show off online. Or they have encyclopedic knowledge on niche topics related to your business. Their talent or interest might prove to be useful for your business and they just didn’t know it.
See what your VAs are up to in their personal lives
I follow some of my VAs on Instagram. I enjoy learning about their family and seeing what is happening in their lives. It makes it easier to talk to them. Makes it easier to work with them because I know them not just as employees but as people with their own lives.
Following your VA lets them follow you
Think about this: When you’re friends with your VA on Facebook or Instagram, they can also see what you’re up to. This will give your VA a glimpse into your life: what your family is like, what your hobbies are, what you’re passionate about. It humanizes you in their eyes. This strengthens their trust, loyalty and commitment to you and your business.
About John Jonas
John Jonas is a long-time outsourcing expert and the creator of OnlineJobs.ph.
Since 2005, John has taught hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs how to profitably delegate to VAs in the Philippines (and get their lives back in the process).
With help from his own VAs based in the Philippines, John has created an outsourcing empire that allows him to work 17 hours/week and to spend most of his time with his wife and 5 kids.
Find John at JohnJonas.com and Facebook.
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I have a concern in regards to this one. I consider myself a private person and I prefer to keep my social media account, especially Facebook, under wraps. I still end up giving my account since I heard it will boost a jobseeker’s chance in getting hired. The question is, will potential employers be able to see my posts and basic info even they are not in my friend list? Because in my opinion, it’s not that necessary to give my social accounts for the sake of being hired. I have to say that my Facebook profile does not 100% present who I am because my privacy is very important to me and I only provide snippets of information in there. To be honest I am not comfortable giving out my account but it seems I don’t have any choice considering it increases my ID proof. So the question again is, will they see ny whole profile even they are not on my friend list? And why is it necessary to judge someone’s social media based on what they see if this person prefers most information private? If a person prefers not to post their current or past jobs in their profile, will it greatly affect their potential to get hired?
We do have jobseekers who have the same privacy concern and we understand. The reason we require a Facebook URL is to reassure employers that the jobseeker actually exists and is not a robot. What you can do to help increase your IDProof if you don’t want to share your FB URL is to email support@onlinejobs.ph. Inform them of the situation. They will ask for additional requirements to prove your identity in lieu of your FB profile.
Personally I have no problem if an employer would ask to follow or add me on my social media accounts. It actually taught me to be more careful of what I post because I am an extension of the company I work for. We may be unaware that our social activity is hurting the company we represent. There has been a lot of cases where employees were terminated because their social media activities have hurt their company’s image.
I agree. Even if your social media profile is personal, the fact that most post are public means we all have to be more conscious about what we post on social media.
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