Why make social media work for all humankind, and be savvy while doing it? Brittni Brown looks at the statistics.
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Sometimes when we get wrapped up in the on-goings of our lives, it is easy to forget that our social media accounts are linked to the rest of the world. Posting our true thoughts on social media can function as an emotional outlet, much like a journal. However, publishing many of these ideas can be detrimental to our social, personal, and professional lives.
Men reading this should take home one message: it pays to be social media responsible. And here’s why…
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Examining Potential Employees
One common rule of thumb on social media that many job seekers live by is to remove any inappropriate photos from their account (namely those where individuals are obviously under the influence of controlled substances). After all, more and more managers are viewing potential employees on social media as a means of weeding irresponsible candidates out. Although the fairness of this practice is debatable, it is completely legal if your account is public.
Of course, work-inappropriate photos are only one of a number of things on social media hiring managers could use to rule someone out as a job contender. Managers also care about the thought behind the content you post and if you react bombastically towards differing lifestyles or viewpoints. Upwards of 70 percent of people rate companies based upon their reaction to negative comments on social media; therefore, they want to hire individuals that will respond responsibly if they have access to the company’s social media accounts.
Staying in Business
Additionally, many business executives are interested in using social media to grow their company. Because of this, they are looking to hire individuals that are capable of managing their personal social media accounts in a professional manner. This primarily means that photos, comments, and status updates that should be kept private or only shared with close friends are not broadcast publicly to anyone viewing your profile.
There are more than a few examples of how costly irresponsible social media management can be. Many of these blunders include racially inappropriate or gender biased posts or comments that go viral and eventually cost those employees their jobs and reputation.
Maintaining Relationships
Outside of the professional realm, social media responsibility still goes a long ways towards maintaining old relationships and building new ones. Many of us have hundreds friends and acquaintances on our social media accounts, most of which we haven’t had intimate conversations with recently, if at all. Often times it is impossible to know what their personal views are and by publishing political rants, strong religious beliefs, or personal medical information it is possible to alienate people without consciously meaning to.
Social media responsibility can even sneak its way into our love lives. In the age of technology, sharing your name with someone you are interested in is almost the same as sharing your social media profile. Approximately 48 percent of women admit to looking up a potential suitor on social media before accepting a first date. This means inappropriate or radical posts or other negative content could limit dating potential.
Finding the sweet spot between being yourself and being professional on a platform that was originally meant as a means to stay in contact with friends can be difficult. The most important rule of thumb to remember is if you would not say something (or show a picture) in person to all of your contacts, do not do so publicly on social media. After all, you never know who will see it!
Photo Credit: nicolasnova/Flickr
The post Good Cents: Why it Pays to be Social Media Responsible appeared first on The Good Men Project.