This App Cleans Up Your Social Media

By IMAGE
22nd Apr 2015

Years ago the job search was a lot more simple. You applied, you waited for a callback, you presented a sane version of yourself for the interview, your references were telephoned, and you either got the job or didn’t.

Nowadays, there are a few more steps. Specifically, hiring managers have this little tool called the internet. Once they have your name, all they need is to type for a moment to find out what kind of person you may be. Have a public Twitter? Your potential boss will be able to see if you over-share, if you’re always indignant, or just always frittering away on Twitter. Instagram? One thing you can say for constant brunch posts is that a sociopathic nature they do not indicate. Maybe your Facebook goes back as far as your undergrad days, when posing with a can of very cheap cider was just the done thing, and you thought belladonna eyes and a ruddy complexion made you look alive.

Anecdotally, we’ve heard of recruiters using Google search far more often than they’ll admit. It’s terrifying, isn’t it? That one flash-in-the-pan moment on social media can jeopardise your career and hold you back from progressing professionally.

This is where the need for the app Clear comes into play. Clear has one simple aim: to make you appear less of an asshole online. The app will search your social media accounts for potentially troublesome posts and comments that may haunt you. It’s only available on iOS at the moment and there is a waiting list, but it is free.

How does Clear work? It has a fancy algorithm that can pick up on curse words, references to racial groups and sexual orientation. Then you can choose which posts to flush away from existence.

Tech website The Verge reports that the app’s creator was inspired by his experience. Ethan Czahor lost a job with Republican politician Jeb Bush after journalists uncovered his past offensive tweets. Like, really offensive. Women were called ‘sluts? offensive. Still, while the provenance of Clear isn’t stellar, the intent is pretty stellar.