Keep It Classy Online

The coastal woods are great for gaining clarity -- am I right? My family and I spent the weekend on the beautiful Oregon and Washington Coasts, and despite the smokiness, had a terrific, rejuvenating couple of days. While there, I had the chance to talk with a few aspiring college graduates about finding a job after graduation and how their social media posting plays a big role in their landing (or missing) a great job.

"It plays into landing a job?"

BIG time. My rule of thumb is this: If you wouldn't want to talk about it with a hiring manager during your interview, keep it OFFLINE.

"But Claire, employers shouldn't be able to look at social media when they make a decision. That's just not allowed."

You're also 'not allowed' to run more than 15 items through the grocery store express line. Ever go on a date? What's the first thing you do when you meet someone new?

"Claire, isn't that censorship?"

No, that's choice. And it's YOUR choice as to how YOU present yourself to the entire world online.

What you post online is *forever* traceable, findable, usable content -- and companies are not looking to hire a walking liability. 

If your posts are blasphemous, sexual, political, drunken, irrational, irresponsible, rude, or blaming, you may consider cleaning up your feed so that it represents your best self and how you'd like to be received by future employers -- because it will be seen.

"Have you ever known anyone to lose a job because of social media."

Yes. You better believe it.

Perhaps it would be a good idea this weekend to clarify your content to better express YOUR mission and vision in your online presence.

Keep it classy and send me any questions: [email protected].