Using social media the right way
Consider your social media as a platform to build your brand and think about this before posting anything.
Social media has the power to make or break you, this is what a CareerBuilder survey found. The 2019 CareerBuilder survey found that 70% of employers use social media to scan their prospective employees.
The survey also found that over half the employers did not hire people because of their social media posts. Some of the biggest concerns they noted were posts about alcohol or drug usage, provocative or inappropriate pictures on a person’s profile, discriminatory comments and poor communication skills.
It is important to be mindful of what you post on social media and what you are tagged in as it could lead to you losing the job of your dreams. “People don’t realise the reach or longevity their online posts have. Some schools have already started to educate young children on the importance of good social media etiquette and how to guard against online dangers. But, most of us didn’t receive much in the way of education on ‘netiquette’ – Internet etiquette,” said Hazel Chimhandamba, Executive Head of Marketing, at Cell C.
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Cell C offers the following tips on how to enjoy social media in a manner that will not disadvantage you when trying to move forward:
1. Disclaimers are not protection. If you think writing “my comments are my own and not my employers” on your profile offer you a get-out-of-jail-free card on social media, think again. Your bad behaviour on social media can have workplace consequences – regardless of that proudly displayed ‘disclaimer’ on your profile.
2. Think twice before reacting. Try not to be reactive when you see other people’s posts that you disagree with. Frequently, engagement with these isn’t worth the effort. Be careful, with posting strong opinions or polarising political views of your own. Remember, often the subtle nuances and tones of arguments get lost in text form. If you can’t help yourself, try DMing (direct messaging) them before calling them out for all to see on social media.
3. Do not be a drama llama. Avoid the trap of oversharing. You have heard the phrase “never send an email while angry”. That goes double for social media.
4. Do not post promotional material on other people’s walls unless you have permission
Think about asking an administrator before you advertise your business elevator pitch on a public wall.
5. Proofread, please. Remember, poor communication skills made some employers turn prospective candidates down. Conduct rigorous social media spell-checks and avoid writing slang words that could position you as a person who does not bother using ‘full sentences’.
6. Be generous. As a rule of thumb, for each post you do about yourself, share two or three posts about someone else. Follow lots of people who interest you, do regular follow-backs, and post about companies that you feel connect positively with your values.
7. Watch the complaints. Unfortunately, many companies respond to customer complaints more quickly on social media than other platforms, so we’ve become conditioned to complaining on social a lot. Consider sending direct messages before you take to broadcasting your irritation on companies’ walls. Remember, it is a small world. Some of the businesses you publicly complain about could become future employers or clients.
8. Check your privacy settings often. This is a good rule but remember even privacy settings are not ironclad. If you have got pictures and posts you think might harm your brand, consider taking these down. Also remember to check the privacy terms and conditions on any platforms you use regularly as they can be subject to change.
It is also important to check the posts you are tagged in as they could also put you in harm’s way. It is best to change your settings to an option that will allow you to choose what you are tagged in to have more control over your profile.
Consider your social media as a platform to build your brand and think about this before posting anything.
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