Social media is here to stay. Future employers are looking at what prospective candidates are posting, it can make or break whether they get the job. Google “employees fired because of social media posts,” you’ll quickly realize, it’s not a joke. Additionally, before hiring a small business, potential clients view social media pages to get an idea of product quality and customers service. So what do you do? How do you engage in social media, and not lose your job or lose job opportunities? Here are 5 tips to help you have smooth sailing when it comes to social media and work.
1. Tell the story you want to tell.
What do you want people to say about you? Keep in mind that what you post determines what people say. If your boss or a potential employer scrolled your Facebook timeline what picture would they get of you? A 2018 CareerBuilder survey asked employers questions on what types of post left them with a bad impression of potential candidates. Here were the top 5 posts that left employers uneasy:
- Provocative or inappropriate photographs, videos or information: 40%
- Information about them drinking or using drugs: 36%
- Discriminatory comments related to race, gender, religion, etc.: 31%
- Linked to criminal behavior: 30%
- Lied about their qualifications: 27%
Remember to tell the story you want to tell on social media.
2. Use the privacy features.
“Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.” (Proverbs 2:11 NIV). More words of wisdom from Solomon. God does protect us, and one of the ways He does that on social media is with the privacy settings. Make sure you are only sharing information with people you want to have it. There are very easy ways to access and manage your privacy on social media networks, security depends on what settings you choose. You can even hide yourself from searches if you want. Click on the social media site for information on accessing privacy settings: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest.
3. Not everything needs to be posted.
Solomon tells us, “From a wise mind comes wise speech; the words of the wise are persuasive.” (Proverbs 16:23 NLT). From a wise mind comes wise social media posts. Stop and think before you post. Think about your audience, what would a future employer think? What would your current employer think? Also, think about when you post. Posting from work in the middle of the afternoon tells your boss you’re not actually working. The selfie can wait until after 5:00.
Sometimes, the wisest thing you can say is nothing. Don’t post the video that seems so great after a glass of wine. Don’t post pictures of other people without asking their permission. Don’t rant about your bad day at work.
Social media is not a journal nor is it a therapy session. It’s a place to be social with the understanding that not everyone that follows you has your best interest at heart despite their social media facades.
Before You Post
Before posting, ask yourself, is this kind? Is it beneficial? Does it really matter? Be kind and courteous in your posts, as well as the comment sections of others’ pages. Always remember, what you post isn’t private, no matter how secure your privacy settings are, assume all your posts are public.
Lastly, think of your social media page as your legacy. Consider what you want people to remember you for. Make sure that your social media posts reflect that.
4. Don’t lose your job.
Many professionals have loss their jobs as a result of posts they’ve made on social media. Though you are a private citizen, you also represent an organization. For example, Justine Sacco, a PR Executive, was fired after posting a discriminatory post. Professor Nikolaos Balaskas was fired from York University for anti-semitic posts. Connie Levitsky was fired from Addition-Elle (retailer for plus size women) for making rude comments about the sizes of the company’s clientele.
Recent posts and past posts should be free of discrimination and offensive, rude comments. A few celebrities have been called out for posts and tweets they made 10+ years ago. Go back through your social media platforms and delete posts that may be deemed inappropriate in today’s society.
4. Use social media to your benefit.
Post positive messages. There is enough negativity in the world. Be inspirational! Employers are looking at your social media pages to see if you would be a good fit. Negative Nancy is a good fit for no company! Don’t be her!
Share your talents and abilities online. If you like painting or making things, share your creations. Employers mentioned in the survey that they look for creativity. Be creative, be positive!
In short, good social media habits come down to two things, common sense and courtesy. Use common sense when posting, think about what you’re saying, how you want to be presented and how others will interpret your posts. When you do, your life on social media will be full of peace and fun memories–and it won’t hinder your career goals.
