Jan 272012
Hurry! Call your friend to have them remove that unflattering picture of you!
Quick! Delete that post you made referencing sketchy activities and using improper language!
Does this sound a bit too familiar? Most people can relate to having a less than desirable photo, post or video on their Facebook walls or other social media websites. As convenient and resourceful as social media can be, it can also come back and be harmful in situations that have the potential to impact the rest of your life.
Yeah, Facebook is great for keeping in touch with people, catching up with old friends and finding new ones. But, what happens when Facebook makes you face plant, especially when it comes to finding a job? Having questionable or unprofessional material exposed to the world, specifically to your potential future employers, via your Facebook has the potential to eliminate you from being the last person standing in your quest for your dream job. The City of Springfield Human Resources Office states they conduct standard background and drug checks on job applicants. But, along with the standard checks, they also conduct Google searches to see if any alarming or unprofessional material appears that could give the company a bad name.
Scott Turk, Springfield resident and current Student Body President of Missouri State University said, “Unfortunately with our generation, first impressions can be formed prior to a handshake or first conversation. Our Facebook and social media profiles can act as our billboard to the entire world, giving others the ability to see us before we even know who they are.” Appearing professional on paper and in person is important, but it is also vital to appear professional when your personal life goes electronic. If you are worried about appearing professional online, here are a few quick tips to secure your positive image and reputation with future employers.
1. Turn your profile settings to private. By turning your profile settings to private, only the people you accept as a friend will be allowed to see your pictures, posts, videos and anything else on your page.
2. Avoid putting up any pictures that involve alcohol, drugs or any questionable activities. Although you may engage in some of these things in your personal life, avoid putting them on your Facebook. Don’t mix your personal and your business life.
3. Be modest and avoid scanty outfits and lots of bare flesh in pictures. This could turn away future employers and make them believe you are not professional enough to represent them well.
4. Watch your language! A good rule of thumb is this; if you wouldn’t say a certain word or tell a particular joke to your boss, then don’t post it on your Facebook where a future employer has the ability to view it.
Hopefully, with these few quick tips, you won’t have to be rushing to call friends to have them take down pictures, backtracking on Facebook wall conversations, or defending your actions to a future or current employer! So next time you get on Facebook, remember that it has the ability to make you face plant!
Until next time,
Morgan Franke
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