Survey Reveals Divided Views on Social Media’s Career Impact
According to a new Workforce Monitor® survey from the American Staffing Association conducted by The Harris Poll, 44% of working U.S. adults believe an active social media presence is more likely to hurt someone’s career than help, while 37% say it’s more likely to be an advantage.
The findings come as seven out of 10 employers report using social media to research job seekers, with 57% admitting they’ve found content that caused them to dismiss a candidate.
Generational Divide on Social Media and Careers
- 48% of employed Baby Boomers (ages 61–79) believe social media can hurt a career.
- 51% of employed Gen Z (ages 18–28) say it can help careers.
- 56% of Gen Z workers believe their social media presence has already helped their own careers.
- Comparatively, 44% of Millennials, 28% of Gen X, and just 20% of Baby Boomers agree.
“An active social media presence has the ability to make or break years of hard work in the blink of an eye,” said Richard Wahlquist, CEO of ASA. “While younger generations may see social media as a platform for personal expression and career advancement, it’s important to remember that any post may be seen by potential employers.”
Survey Methodology
The survey was conducted online in the U.S. by The Harris Poll on behalf of ASA between April 21–23, 2025, among 2,093 adults (1,272 employed). The results carry a Bayesian credible interval of ±2.5 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. For complete methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup details, contact Megan Sweeney at ASA.
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