Have you asked yourself how your online presence looks to potential employers? You may not realize with every post whether it be on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc. you are branding yourself. Personal branding is growing as the social media takeover continues online. We all watch and learn from our favorite actors, musicians and athletes and what they post online, and employers are doing the same thing for you. With each post you are telling your friends, family, and potential employers exactly who you are. Here is a list of three things you may want to avoid the next time you make a post online:
- Photos from your weekend out with your friends.
- Your choice of words (not just profanity).
- Views on higher authority (i.e. government, laws, law enforcement).
Let me explain why these three bullet points are something you may want to avoid when posting online.
First, you want to avoid posting those photos of your weekend nights out with your best friends online, because they may show a side of you that employers do not want to see when they are looking to learn who you are as a person. Those photos can be incriminating evidence at a later date, so maybe you should keep them away from prying eyes who may judge you at first glance.
Second, watch your choice of words and that’s not just meaning profanity. Lengthy posts that use strong language on certain view points can also hurt you when you are looking for a new job.
Lastly, views on higher authority such as the president, government or thoughts on your last boss can really hurt your chances at landing that new job. Negative viewpoints on those higher authority figures will show potential employers that you do not work well with others and do not take direction well. Employers are always looking for the best candidates who will also fit into their company culture. A lot of what you post online can put you in a negative light when it comes to your personal brand.
If you can’t be the same person at work that you are online you probably should keep those posts, thoughts, and photos to yourself. Have you ever Googled yourself? Maybe you should try it sometime and see what you find, you may be surprised. Your online presence is going to continue to be a big deal as social media companies continue to grow and you become easier to search online. What’s shared online is written in ink, not pencil. That being said, whatever you post make sure it’s something you’d be ok posting on a billboard for the world to see.
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