We live in a time where social media is a tool that almost everyone uses, and many use it to their detriment.
Do you?
Here’s the test: Take a moment to look through your social media posts. How many make you think, “I don’t think my mom would approve of this?”
If the answer is more than zero, you too are playing with fire.
When you apply for a job, your potential employers look at your social media profiles to see if you’re the kind of person they’re looking for.
Essentially, your posts, photos, videos, etc., provide a glimpse into your character. One inappropriate comment can mean the difference between getting the interview and getting passed over.
Don’t post personal information that others can use to impersonate you or steal your stuff.
Burglars have been known to check social media to find people who are currently out of town. If they have enough information about where those people live, they’ll burglarize the house, since they know nobody is there.
So don’t post about your vacation until you return home.
You should also be careful about what potentially sensitive information you make public.
For example, it’s a bad idea to put your birthday on your profiles. Same goes for your address, schedule, and anything else that identifies who you are and where you are.
Social media can be a great way to promote yourself in a positive way.
Developing a brand for yourself through social media can show prospective employers that you have a lot to contribute to their organization. If you start while you’re in school and build it up over the years before you graduate, you can list your social media presence on your resume.
The important thing to remember is your contributions to social media can have a positive or negative impact on your future. Following the rule of asking yourself, “Would I want my mom to see this?” before you post is a good way of keeping yourself safe.
