Search the Site

Social Media Mistakes

Send a summary of this page to someone via email.
Previous | Next
 
By Johnna Easter, Guest Blogger


In this article I was tasked to write advice to someone who had a great job or was looking for one and who also loved their social media. So what does one have to do with the other? If you do it right, maybe it helps in your search, do it wrong and the latter can get you fired from the former!

We all love our Facebook page and our Twitter feeds and we feel like we should be able to just be who we are and speak freely to our “very best friends” that follow us. They love us; they need to know what we are thinking, who we really are. Right? Not so fast. If you are a professional person, or hope to be one day, you need to think before you click that post button!

Social media has become such a part of our lives that we feel somehow protected in what we post, like we have a cocoon of freedom to let it all hang out. But really, is the woman you met at last month’s baby shower or the guy who sat behind you in second grade the person you want to trust with your every thought? If you want to stay, or become, employed, probably not.


Social Media Mistakes

What are the social media mistakes people make that get them into trouble on the job front?

  1. Not using the privacy settings on your account. You have the ability to only allow people you choose to friend to see your profile. If you don’t, anyone that cares to type in your name can see everything you have been up to.
  2. You friend your boss. Not a good idea. Just because you have a nice boss that seems really cool doesn’t mean she needs to read your updates from Bonnaroo.
  3. Your profile pic is of you doing a keg stand at last week’s tailgate. Is this really the image you want to portray of yourself? Team spirit is great but no boss likes to think of their up and coming account rep upside down over several gallons of beer.
  4. Eight of your last ten posts are about how much you hate your job and your boss. Even if you haven’t friended the boss your posts may still find there way to her desk. (Remember the guy from second grade, he works with her sister.) Letting the world know how unhappy you are in your job is a great way to find yourself out of one. If you are trying to move out of your current job no future employer wants someone who is perceived to have a bad attitude or at the very least has no filter.
  5. Being super political. I know this is touchy. We all have a right to believe what we believe, to stand up for it, to vote for it. But just like at a cocktail party, you need to stay away from religion and politics if you are in the job market. Having vastly different views from a potential employer may stack the deck against you.
  6. Mentioning that you are looking for a new job in your status. Of course you can use social media to search for a new job, but in a very discreet way through private messages and chat options. With so many people looking for work, everyone is replaceable and letting the world know you are about to jump ship on your current job is a great way to get replaced before you are ready.

If you use your common sense, don’t use your social media as a private diary, remember that you really aren’t that close to all seven hundred of your friends and followers, keep the photos clean and the posts light you will be fine in corporate America. And if you have something really juicy to share, pick up the phone and call the people who really are your friends and will keep all your secrets!


About the Author

Johnna EasterJohnna Easter is a public relations manager, social media consultant and marketing director. She has been helping people get the word out about their businesses for over ten years. She believes in the power of social media and helps clients integrate the platform into their business both as a sales generator and a public relations tool.  Her website is www.personnarelations.com.
blog comments powered by Disqus

Related Articles: