It is Friday night and your friends say they want to hang out, blow off some steam after a long week. For many, the first response is: let’s post about it on social media! Tagging location, friends, and the frenzy of drinks that are being whipped up.
Wait. Don’t click ‘submit.’
Take a step back. And think “what would my prospective employer say about this post?”
In today’s internet-at-your-fingertips world, your information is easily accessible and sometimes exposes more than needed about your personal life. From the casual trip to the ice creamery to the one time you went on that Caribbean cruise, social media is transforming the way people learn about information at lightning fast speeds.
Lifeback Legal is a division of the Law Firm of Shea M. Randall, a trusted California Law Firm, and we understand more than most how the internet can make or break you in the professional sphere. We specialize in helping individuals get their life back with California criminal record expungements and federal licensing services.
If you are currently submitting your resume to different employers, consider the following factors when submitting your next social media post:
Privacy, please.
Most social media outlets, such as Facebook or Twitter offer options for public or private posts. Do yourself a favor and set your privacy settings to family and immediate friends only. This can be done by logging in to your Facebook account, clicking on Settings, and adjusting the Privacy settings.
If you are friends with a manager or supervisor at your current job or if a manager adds you at your upcoming job, consider posting to a specific group, not your entire friends list. In the end, less is more.
Say cheese!
Social media makes sharing information easy with automatic uploads or online photo albums. Taking photos is a great way to save the moment, but not every single moment needs to be shared with everyone on your friend list. Filter what and how much you post. A photo is worth 1000 words.
Tonight, instead of posting – enjoy the moment. The internet makes information incredibly accessible to many people running a generic online search. Employers want to feel confident that they are hiring someone who will represent their company respectfully inside and outside of the office. By encouraging a positive online presence, you are creating a better base for your future employment ventures.
If you have made mistakes and are concerned about your online presence or digital footprint, we recommend signing up for our Internet Privacy Protection service. You can read more here and sign up online today. You can also reach out us by filing out the contact form below or by calling our office at (888)751-5329.
* By clicking ‘submit’ you understand that this does not create an Attorney-Client relationship. While we do our best to respond to you quickly, we are under no obligation to take your case or provide any sort of response. We do not sell or share your information. Providing your basic information simply gives our law firm the opportunity to follow-up and engage in a conversation to best assist you.