How to Build an Age-Neutral Online Presence & Protect Yourself From Ageism Online

Many younger and older professionals face age discrimination in their job searches, which can make career opportunities inaccessible. Though federal laws protect at least some populations from ageism, it's still unfortunately prominent in the job market. 

An iHire survey revealed that one in three job seekers over the age of 50 have likely experienced ageism. Age discrimination against older populations is noticeably prevalent in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields and other fast-moving industries. The COVID-19 pandemic created additional barriers for many professionals, including layoffs, quick industry shifts, and new technology.

Networking and building an age-neutral online presence are some of the best ways to combat ageism in your job search. In doing so, you can optimize your job applications and avoid harmful biases.

How to Build an Online Presence

A prominent online presence will help you stand out to employers and avoid age-based assumptions in your job search. It demonstrates that you're active in your field, fluent in technology, and easy to contact. Plus, LinkedIn and other social media platforms help you network with other professionals and employers to find unique job opportunities. 

Review Your Social Media Profiles

First, look at your current social media profiles, including the ones you don't actively use. Consider updating your profile picture, description, and privacy settings to optimize what employers and other professionals may see. 

Your profile picture should be a clear image of yourself on most of your public profiles. The photo doesn’t necessarily need to be studio-quality, though you should have at least one professional picture for your LinkedIn account. For most other social media accounts, just make sure your image visibly features your face. Avoid using artwork, fictional characters, pets, and memes so employers can quickly identify you. 

Next, take some time to revise your “About” information for each account. Make sure your education and job history are clearly visible, but keep your profile authentic. Don’t include any details you don’t want employers to see, and double-check that your job history matches your resume. 

Finally, verify that your account looks professional. Most employers won’t hire you if your social media accounts may make their organization look bad. Consider changing your privacy settings on certain accounts so only friends and approved followers can see what you post.

Access More Free Job Search Tools

Join today to unlock additional resources for every phase of your career.

Job Seeker Sign In

Sign in with Google

Sign in with LinkedIn

Sign in with Apple

Or, use your email address:

Next

We Value Your Privacy

Try Other Social Media Platforms

Consider which social media platforms you currently use. Many platforms are more popular in certain industries, depending on the target market and various other factors. For instance, fast-paced tech companies may use LinkedIn and X (formerly known as Twitter), while fashion and other visual-focused industries use Instagram. On the other hand, marketing teams frequently use Facebook to drive sales, requiring applicants to understand the platform's most active hours and best strategies. 

LinkedIn is one of the best social media platforms for professional networking. Many industries use LinkedIn for marketing and sharing information, while most job recruiters use it to get an impression of applicants. Take extra time to polish your LinkedIn profile and highlight your skills. Depending on your industry, you should also connect your LinkedIn account to your other professional profiles. 

You should also stay up to date on industry shifts, as the best social media platforms may change. For example, many companies are currently limiting their activity on X, pushing many marketing and community teams to switch to other apps. 

Keep Your Profiles Active

Being active on the most relevant platforms in your field makes it easier for other professionals to get to know you. Every social media algorithm is different, though most require frequent engagement – otherwise, few people may see your content. So consider making daily or weekly posts to engage with your network.

Short-form videos on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook are some of the best ways to gain views. Even if videos aren’t your primary focus, they can keep you popular with the algorithms. As a result, professionals, colleagues, and friends will be more likely to see your posts. 

Learn How to Network Online

Networking is critical to making an impression with other professionals in your industry. Today, most networking is done online, through social media and virtual events. Pay attention to your LinkedIn feed and updates, as they often reflect whom you're actually reaching. Consider branching out to other followers and groups across different social media platforms, and get involved in conversations.

The best way to network online looks different for each industry, so you may need to follow specific hashtags to find the most relevant updates and users in your field. Alternatively, ask colleagues and friends in your industry what they use to network and then branch out from there. 

Consider Online Presence Management

Many professionals use outside resources to boost their online presence. Professional career advisers, such as the experts at iHire, can help manage your LinkedIn profile, your portfolio, and other factors that are critical to your job applications. They can give you tips to help optimize your online presence with the right keywords and impressions. Plus, social media training can help you maneuver through the algorithms to reach as many users as possible. 

Job Search Resources

Most recruiters look at more than just your resume and cover letter when you apply for a job. Maintaining a strong online presence can help you combat ageism in your job search and open up more opportunities.

Explore iHire's Resource Center for more networking and job search advice, or enroll in iHire's Masterclass: Overcoming Ageism in Your Job Search.