Image Management on Social Media

For a new person to the workforce, and some of the older folks as well…

Social media is an important part of everyday life.  The uses are wide ranging; from organizing a formal meeting to just seeing if anyone is available to hang out.  Because it is so normal to fall back on this convenience, it is important to regulate how you are perceived online.  Your future employers may check you out to see what you post, how you respond under pressure, or in what activities you partake.  If you manage your online presence well, this can be great for you.  Unfortunately, many of us post with out thinking of how the post is perceived by others, this can be detrimental if you are seeking a job, or even if you already have a job.  There have been incidents where employees were let go due to things they posted online that were not in the image the company wished to portray.  So be smart about what you post and how you post.  The items below are a starting point, not an all inclusive list.

Make sure you are not tagged in any photograph depicting illegal/illicit activities, for example; a picture of you at a party involving alcohol consumption when you are not of age to consume, someone in the background of a picture smoking illegal substances, or shoplifting (even if it is a joke picture).

Make sure you are tagged in photographs depicting your involvement in community activities, for example; a picture of you at your graduation from High School, cleaning a local park, passing out water at a fundraising race, or being in a parade.

Do not post names of people who have offended or aggravated you, for example; Phil N. LeBlanc is such a jerk he cut me off in the parking lot and nearly caused an accident, or I cannot stand Professor Nut E. Barre’s class he is so boring to listen to.

If you have been having a bad day and want to vent online, be general in your comments, for example; I nearly got in an accident coming out of the parking lot today, or I have had such a hard time in class today, I am so tired.

If you have observed a fantastic event or kind act during your day, post away.  It is always good to compliment someone, for example; I was in the Wegman’s today, and this ladies cart had a bad wheel, so Joe the grocery guy brought her a new cart and helped her switch her stuff over and took the bad cart away-way to go Joe!

There is an adage that says, “Praise in public, chastise in private.”  Think of this before you post and it will help you moderate your own posts, comments on others posts, or articles, and anything else you send into cyberspace.