In today's society, it's difficult to find someone who isn't involved in social media in some way. Social media is a great tool for connecting with others about what is going on in our day to day lives. However, many times we don't really think about the effect a simple post can have on our future careers. Employers are looking into how we act on our social media accounts, because it lets them know how you act outside the magnifying glass of interviews and applications. At this point in our lives our focus is on getting the career we've been working on, so make sure your social media past isn't interfering with it.
Think First
Before clicking "post" on that hilarious meme or fantastic picture of how you spent your Saturday night, take a second to think. Who do you want to see that picture? Better yet, think about who you don't want to see the picture because once it's posted it can't be fully taken down. Think about how your online decisions can influence other's opinions of you. Always THINK: T - is it true? H - is it helpful? I - is it inspiring? N - is it necessary? K - is it kind?
Think Privacy
One way to protect yourself from potential problems is through privacy restrictions. This can be limiting what the public has access to through to show to only "friends". This is very common and a great way to start limiting what people can see. You also might have managers or colleagues on your social media accounts. While you might have a great working relationship, they probably don't need access to everything you post. Taking advantage of custom privacy settings is a great way to remain friends with coworkers and still have freedom to post.
Think Branding
Social media accounts typically are an accurate depiction on our personalities and how we spend our time. That being said, how we represent ourselves through these accounts are vital. You want employers to see you as a competent individual that will be a great investment, not someone who could embarrass the business. Doing routine checks periodically of what other are posting about you is a great start. The next step would be removing any questionable content that could hurt you. Instead, focus on positive or career centered stories that show you are connected to more than just the latest hit on Netflix. Overall, you have to manage your own online identity.
