Think twice before posting
Social media has exploded in the past decade, but is that necessarily a good thing?
Our social networking pages often inadvertently offer first impressions of our character and habits. When used correctly, the image we want portrayed is relayed to the viewer. When used incorrectly, the damage can be substantial.
As young adults transitioning into the working world, sometimes we find ourselves posting for different demographics. Most messages we post are intended for our friends. That’s fine – our friends know who we are – but what first impression are you displaying for someone who doesn’t know you, for instance, your future employer?
Employers often use Facebook and other social networking sites as a way to screen applicants. A new survey conducted by Dan Schawbel, founder of Millennial Branding, shows 92 percent of employers are using or planning to use social networks for recruiting this year.
Based on my experience, this number is not an exaggeration or an empty threat. It is a fact.
For the past four years, I was a college baseball coach for two different programs, Concordia University in Austin and San Jacinto College North Campus in Houston. During that time, the coaches were in constant surveillance of our players’ social media pages. We monitored these pages so, in part, we could learn about who our players were, but also to try and keep them from damaging their image to anybody viewing their pages.
During those four years, I personally dealt with many instances involving social media. I saw hundreds of party photos, witnessed way too many relationship dramas being hashed out online and read countless posts containing poor grammar, spelling and punctuation. Interestingly enough, I have since learned that poor grammar and spelling mistakes are worse social networking sins than writing about your latest binge-drinking adventure.
One Facebook incident actually cost a player his future with a professional baseball team. The player had posted a picture from a friend’s apartment that had drug paraphernalia in the background. The very next day, I received a phone call from multiple scouts asking me if this was a direct reflection of this player’s character.
I immediately went into damage control, assuring them that the player wasn’t personally involved in the use of illegal substances. The truth is, this player wasn’t involved in drug use. He was everything you hope for as a coach, respectful, punctual and had a great work ethic.
Most of the scouts believed my evaluation of the situation, but one scout did not. One team decided that this one incident was enough for them to stop their recruiting process, effectively ending the player’s chances with that organization.
The point I am trying to make is to think about your audience. Our image is constantly being evaluated, like an audition. It is continuously evolving. Try to build a professional image that coincides with your personal image. The main thing to realize is that it’s hard to erase something published online. It leaves a digital footprint that reaches further than print ever could.
