5 Ways to Make Future Employers Notice Your Social Media Accounts (In a Good Way)

We know that you know better than to go on political rants on Facebook, shame celebrities on Twitter, or post inappropriate photos on Instagram. But your social media accounts could definitely use some improvement. Are you showcasing your best well-rounded attributes? Are you showing your kindness and respect for your family and friends? Are you using correct grammar? These are just some of the checkpoints that will make your social media accounts more accurately and positively reflect who you are to a future employer. Because according to a Careerbuilder.com survey, 65% of employers check out your social media before hiring. Gulp. Don't worry, there's time to clean it up. Here's how.

1. Keep it positive.

Facebook and Twitter are great forums in which to complain. Whether you want to share a story of horrible luck, post a picture of the burrito you dropped on the floor at lunch, or other relevant daily woes, your friends may find it funny and commiserate, but your employers might think you're a capital "C" Complainer. Humor is great, but don't get carried away in sarcasm.

2. Do a grammar check.

Contrary to popular belief, grammar is not dead. Even when you post online in a rush, bad grammar is something that future employers can judge. Especially if your desired field involves a lot of writing…If you need a brush-up on your grammar (it's okay, we all forget whether punctuation goes inside or outside of quotation marks), this will help.

3. Be interesting.

Okay. So you went out to the ice cream shop and took a picture of your vanilla ice cream cone. Does this mean you're just vanilla? Well, no. But future employers want to know that you can be beyond vanilla. That means peppering your accounts with interesting articles that you've read (that you've actually read) and providing insightful (but not offensive) commentary. Liking pages that you're impressed by such as organizations, charities, publishers, news sources, artists and companies will help give your future employer the implication that you have interesting passions and are deeply engaged with the world.

4. Lead with your strengths.

While people often brag on their social media accounts, there's a way to show that you are a competent citizen without going overboard. It's okay to post about a prize you've won, or a fun day you've spent with your long-lost brother. If you say you like to cook, then your social media accounts better have images of tonight's 5-star dinner. Social media, while informal, gives people a chance to see you deliver the goods.

5. Show that you're part of a community.

Friends and family are a huge part of appearing likable on social media. If all of your pictures are selfies, that might not make the best impression. It's great to showcase pictures of you having fun with other people, enjoying family time, and getting out there in the real social world. Also, thanking people when it's your birthday and wishing them the same when the time comes, giving random compliments to others, and tagging friends shows that you are conscientious and thinking of someone else other than yourself.

Still feel like your accounts could use some sprucing up? Check out this list for more ideas on how to be a pro on social media.

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Mortgage Forbearance: What to Know

What do you do when financial hardship hits and you can't make your monthly mortgage payments? This is a question on many homeowner's minds as nearly 17.8 million Americans are reportedly unemployed during the coronavirus pandemic.

When homeowners face financial hardship, such as the loss of a job, they often look to obtain a forbearance agreement from their lender. A forbearance happens when your lender grants you a temporary pause or reduction in monthly payments on your mortgage. Forbearance is not the same as payment forgiveness, in that you still have to pay the entire amount back by an agreed-upon time.

Mortgage lending institutions differ on their mortgage relief policies and qualifications; however, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act were signed into law in late March of this year to protect government-backed mortgages.

Federally backed mortgages include:

  • Fannie Mae
  • Freddie Mac
  • The Federal Housing Administration (FHA)
  • The US Department of Veteran Affairs (VA)
  • The US Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Under the CARES Act, homeowners with a federally backed loan who either directly or indirectly suffer financial hardship due to coronavirus automatically qualify for mortgage forbearance.

Even if your mortgage is not secured by one of these agencies, you still can call and see if you qualify, as many lenders will still offer the option in order to avoid foreclosures.

Under the CARES act, homeowners can claim mortgage forbearance due to financial hardship from COVID-19 for up to 12 months without requiring any documentation or verification. During the forbearance period, mortgage lenders cannot charge late fees or penalties.

Additionally, as long as your mortgage is current at the time you claim forbearance, the lender is required to keep reporting your mortgage as paid current throughout the entire period.

At the end of the forbearance, the CARES act protects consumers from having to make a lump sum payment. Instead, you will be given a repayment plan from your provider. Since repayment options vary, it's important you ask your provider about all of your repayment options.

Possible Repayment Options:

You may be eligible for a loan modification at the end of your forbearance. With modification, the mortgage terms are changed in order to add payments that were missed during the forbearance onto the end of the loan, extending the term.

Another option that may work for some is a reduced payment option. This allows you to keep paying monthly payments at a reduced amount. The amount missed is usually added back into the monthly payments at the end of the forbearance.

For example:

Regular payment: $1000 per month

Reduced payment: $500 per month

Payment after forbearance period: $1500 (until caught up)

Balloon payments, or lump sum payments at the end of the forbearance, are prohibited under the CARES Act. However, mortgage lenders may require homeowners who are not protected under the CARES Act to make a balloon payment at the end, so again it is best to check first with your provider.

Mortgage forbearance should only be considered in true financial hardship. In other words, just because of the pandemic, you should not take a forbearance on your mortgage if you can still afford your payments. Likewise, if you are able to start making payments before the forbearance period is up, it's best to do so as soon as possible.

The Next Steps:

Before you get in touch with your mortgage servicer, save time by gathering as much documentation about the mortgage as you can. Also, be ready to list your income and monthly expenses. Due to an influx in calls, financial institutions are experiencing extremely long wait times right now, and having your information at the ready will help.

Have questions ready to ask. Here are some questions you should be asking:

  • What fees are associated with the forbearance?
  • What are all the repayment options available to you at the end of the forbearance?
  • Will you be charged interest during the forbearance period?

If your forbearance is approved, make sure to keep all documentation pertaining to it. Make sure to cancel any automatic payments to the mortgage during the forbearance period, and keep tabs on your credit report to make sure your lender doesn't report the loan as unpaid.


For more information on forbearance, contact your lender and discuss your options. If you need more assistance with understanding your options, you can contact a local agent for the housing counseling agency, or call their hotline at 1-800-569-4287.
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