by Marietta Gentles Crawford
Social media is like driving: Everyone wants to be on the road, but not everyone should be allowed behind the wheel. The invention of social media has given a platform to anyone who has an email address and can create an account. These days, some people don’t see the connection between what they post on social media and how it shapes their online reputation.
There’s nothing wrong with sharing your thoughts on social media. Here’s the problem: When you combine your personal life, professional goals, and Google, the mixture can be like a fun basement party invading a formal gala televised live on a big screen for everyone to see. There’s a time and place for both, but it’s important to be in control of your online reputation and not post meaningless posts that hurt your personal brand. You never want to be the person that people sigh every time your name pops up (even worse, they may even remove or hide you from showing up in their timeline). It’s important to make sure that you don’t over share (no one cares about your bad egg and cheese sandwich) or say things that are offensive to others (excessive swearing, racism, or crassness).
If you’re not aware of what you post on social media, there may be postings that even as an adult you wouldn’t want your parents to see. More horrifying than the parental backlash (or maybe not) is the fact that others hate what you post. If you want to have a strong and likable online presence, you should post information that positively displays both your personal and professional interests. Also, it’s important to remember that if you are looking to advance your career, some of these same posts may be held against you by your current or future employer. So to avoid any further embarrassment, take a look at this infographic for questions to ask yourself before posting on social media posts.
Marietta Gentles Crawford is a writer + personal brand strategist who helps passionate professionals look good on paper, online, and in person. She is also the author of the eBook 12 Secrets To Brandazzle Your Job Search. She tweets from @MariBrands4You.
Culled from Life Hack
