Social Media is More than Just Being Social.
Gone are the days of the separation of your personal life and professional reputation. Social media opens a window into your life for the world to see – whether you want them there or not. What you post, tweet or snap can be the difference between being happily employed to singing the same tune of this unemployed Texas Teen.
After securing a job at a local pizzeria this young lady decided to tweet some negative comments about the position. Unaware that her employer would see these comments, she received a reply message from the hiring manager that she had been terminated before even actually starting the job.
One might argue that her personal feelings toward this job should not have been used against her, but once you decide to share your feelings on a public platform you run the risk of discrediting yourself and your employer. When using social media and developing your personal reputation it is important to keep in mind discretion, the “newspaper” theory and your own professional brand.
Discretion is best described through the “newspaper” theory. Before you post something on social media, ask yourself if you would want it to appear on the front page of a newspaper. If you wouldn’t want it posted on the front page of a newspaper then you shouldn’t display it on a social media outlet. Remember to keep this in mind when developing your professional brand. Your professional brand is a reflection of your reputation – what you’re known for (or want to be known for). When your reputation is a good one, it includes marketable distinctions like positive characteristics and achievements. It's a way to stand out from the competition for the best job, but it can all be lost with one quick post, tweet or snap.