“If you’re like most people, you probably use Facebook to stay connected with friends and family, share news and photos, and maybe even kill a little time with some light entertainment.
But did you know that what you post on Facebook can also impact your career? In fact, more and more employers are using social media to screen job candidates, and what they find (or don’t find) can make or break your chances of getting hired.
So if you’re looking for a job, or hoping to advance in your current career, it’s important to be mindful of the professional image you’re projecting online.
Here are some things to avoid posting on Facebook if you want to maintain a positive professional reputation.”
1. Avoid Posting Anything Negative
This should be a no-brainer, but it’s worth repeating: negative posts are a major turn-off for potential employers. If you’re complaining about your job, venting about a difficult customer, or badmouthing your boss, it’s only going to reflect poorly on you.
Remember, even if your privacy settings are set to “Friends only,” there’s always a chance that someone you know could see your posts and pass them along to someone else – including a potential employer. So if you wouldn’t say it to your boss’s face, don’t post it on Facebook!
2. Don’t Over share Personal Information
While it’s important to be genuine on social media, you don’t want to share TOO much personal information. This can be a tough balance to strike – after all, sharing is what social media is all about!
A good rule of thumb is to avoid posting anything on Facebook that you wouldn’t feel comfortable sharing with a potential employer. That includes things like:
- Political views
- Religious beliefs
- Relationship status
- Photos or posts that is derogatory, offensive, or otherwise inappropriate
3. Don’t Post Anything Illegal
This one should also be pretty obvious, but it’s worth mentioning: don’t post anything on Facebook that could get you in trouble with the law!
This includes things like:
- Photos or videos of illegal activities (drug use, underage drinking, etc.)
- Threatening or harassing posts
- Posts that violate copyright law
4. Don’t Post Controversial Opinions
Having a difference of opinion is perfectly fine – but expressing a controversial opinion on social media can be risky. If you’re considering posting something that could be interpreted as offensive, think carefully about how it might be received by potential employers.
It’s also important to remember that once you’ve hit “post,” your words are out there for the world to see – so think twice before hitting that button!
5. Avoid Posting anything that could Come Back to Haunt You
We’ve all said things we later regret – but unfortunately, those regrets can come back to haunt us when they’re captured in a social media post.
Before you hit “post,” think about how your words might be interpreted – both now and in the future. If there’s even a chance that your post could be seen as inappropriate, offensive, or otherwise problematic, it’s probably best to avoid sharing it on Facebook (or any other social media platform).
6. Don’t Post Drunken Photos or Stories
We all like to let loose and have a good time every once in a while. But posting drunken photos or stories on Facebook is generally a bad idea. Not only do these types of posts reflect poorly on you, they could also come back to haunt you if you’re ever applying for a job.
So if you don’t want your future employer to see you in a less-than-flattering light, it’s best to avoid posting drunken photos or stories on social media.
7. Don’t Complain About Work
As we mentioned before, complaining about work is a major turn-off for potential employers. If you’re unhappy with your current job, venting about it on Facebook is only going to make things worse.
Instead of airing your grievances on social media, try talking to your boss or HR department directly. If that doesn’t work, then it might be time to start looking for a new job – but don’t post about it on Facebook!
Conclusion:
While social media can be a great way to connect with friends and family, it’s important to remember that anything you post can potentially be seen by future employers. So if you’re job-hunting, it’s best to avoid posting anything that could reflect poorly on you.
