The Professional Gal.
A mixture of insight, a different
dose of perspective, a touch of wisdom, and mostly concern...
Social
media, what a wonderful thing! If you’re smart…
But if you
are one of those people (a recent college grads, a young adult, or someone how
loves to share) looking for employment and ready to start your profession,
Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram can be your ultimate demise.
Recruiters,
not only from employers seeking good candidates, but also from colleges and
universities are increasingly utilizing social media to gain a better insight
into their potential employees or students.
~ * ~

Oh now
remember those parties from your college years, better yet… remember those
pictures?
Oh wait!
How about that obscene or vulgar post you or your friend posted on your wall?
Have you deleted
those? Did you double check!?
What about
your twitter post… (Ok I know those can only be 65 characters, but you can do a
lot of damage in 65 characters).
Now try
“google-ing,” “Yahoo!-ing,” “Ask.com-ing” your name, and see what comes up?
Hopefully not your Facebook and Twitter accounts. If so, immediately change your
privacy settings.
~ * ~
Oh yea!
What about your email address? Is that professional too??? Example: jane.doe@gmail.com or is it
something more similar to sexigirl69@gmail.com.
Yea, about
that… can’t use that one on a resume or application that you want a positive
response to.
~ * ~
Tips:
1. Truly avoid controversial topics
on social media.
a. I know this takes a lot of the fun
out of it, but voice your opinion when you are not attempting to look for
gainful employment. Therefore, avoid all taboo topics (politics-yes, especially
during election season- and demeaning religious statements). You never know
what bridges you’re burning or who is seeing this information that may very
well disagree with you.
2. NEVER talk negatively about your
past employer or current employer.
a. It really makes you look bad. If
you are employed and talk about your current employer, you may very well lose
your job or the respect of your co-workers. If you are looking for a job and
talking about a former employer, it shows a true lack of professionalism. Your
better than that!
3. Take down ALL inappropriate
pictures.
Rule of
thumb, if you don’t know that it is inappropriate, then DON’T post it. You want
your employer or future employer to see you as professional, not as someone who
may have a drinking habit? Someone who
loves to take pictures of themselves in a swimsuit/lingerie in their bathroom
mirror? Your boss or future boss could see these and you want to be known for
your brain not your body.
4. Don’t post while you are at work,
if you company has a policy on phone. It’s an easy way to be terminated. Further
don’t post a picture of yourself at work, saying you’re working. This is just
not professional, unless you have a professional only page. (I have seen it
done!)
5. Please do not over share.
Sometimes we tend to talk too much about our
personal lives over social media. Avoid this, for your own sake. You never know
how someone may perceive the information that you are sharing. So if you’re
fighting with your best friend, do it over the phone or personal email. Do not
give anyone any ammunition to make you look bad.
6. Perception Is Reality.
~
* ~
Doing
things of this nature can keep you from find a good job. But worse, these
things can drastically stunt a person’s growth potential with an employer. Just
exercise solid common sense (even though it does not seem all that common
anymore) and good rational judgment.

This is
not 100% necessarily about your professional image. This is also a safety issue
too. Some people are truly crazy, and we are putting way to much out there for
someone to use. Really! Are Facebook and Twitter worth it?!?! Be safe and
smart!
~ * ~
Be a part of a team. Lead with
integrity. Remain committed to your core values.
The Young & Professional Gal
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