When in Doubt, Take it Out! Social Media Users - Beware of Your Content

Blogs, facebook, My Space YouTube, Twitter, Diggs, and more. Millions of people use social media outlets to share personal information, some minute-by-minute. To some of us, they have become addictions, like the "Crackberry!"

• Whether we are obsessively connecting on facebook or responding to Tweets delivered to our iPhones, we seem to forget - or disregard - the fact that we have no expectation of privacy in this manner of connecting.
• That's particularly true when we are at work or looking for work.
• Last September, I gave job seekers eight tips for using facebook. Take a look. http://resumeboutique.blogspot.com/2008/09/no-privacy-on-facebook-8-tips-for.html.

Job seekers aren't the only ones who need to be mindful of their postings. We know employers increasingly use these new technologies to check the backgrounds of job applicants. But, senior management also read blogs, monitor their facebook accounts, and follow Twitter. Clients and customers - the same.

• Have you ever written that you had too much to drink the night before and called in sick? Posted photos that could be offensive to others? Used profanity in exchanges with others? Probably.
• Have you thought about who's reading your musings? That's right. Co-workers. Clients. Customers. Are they laughing? Maybe not so much.

Employees and job seekers take note:

1. When in Doubt, Take it Out!
2. No bare skin photos or videos. That's right. Lose the skimpy bathing suits.
3. No photos or videos of excessive drinking or partying.
4. No foul language.
5. No negative comments about co-workers, customers, or clients.
6. Remember, the standard is NOT what you think is appropriate. It's what employers, clients, colleagues, and customers think.

7. Be smart. Keep your job.

Randi S. Lewis Founder, Resume Boutique LLC ~ 410.602.2500 http://www.resumeboutique.com/ ~ info@resumeboutique.com © Resume Boutique LLC 2009. All rights reserved.