The survey found that over three quarters (77.3%) of candidates in the accounting sector expect to be ‘Googled’ by potential employers and recruiters, with 75% stating that they are more careful about what they post online.

Over two thirds (69.6%) of accountants believe that recruiters would judge them based on what they post on their social media profiles, with 69% of recruiters confirming that they are influenced by what they find on social media platforms.

Despite many accounting professionals already being cautious, 56.5% said they are more careful about what they share when they are actively job hunting.

Lee Biggins, founder and managing director of CV-Library said: ‘Many employers and recruiters will use social media during their hiring process and it’s clear that they are influenced by what they see online.

‘If you use social media, it’s vital that you are aware of what you’re sharing and that you understand the implications of posting inappropriate or potentially damaging content. When in doubt, switch your profile to full-private mode to cover your back.’

Top tips for being careful online:

‘Google’ yourself: Get ahead of recruiters and search your own name online. Look at what you find and decide if there is anything you do not wish potential employers to see.

Set your profiles to private: The easiest way to ensure that recruiters are not sifting through your photos or updates is by setting your profiles to private. This way they can only see your content if they ask to connect with you.

Remove anything inappropriate: Take some time to go through your profiles and remove anything that might be deemed as inappropriate. It might take a little while, but it can be very beneficial to your job search.

Do not use ‘selfies’: If you are using job boards, professional networking sites, or you have even created an online portfolio – keep your profile photo professional.

Report by Amy Austin