Online and off the clock: Can social networking hurt your career? — Boise Young Professional

As social networking continues to evolve and proliferate in our modern world, how will employees know what is appropriate online, even when they are off the clock?  In our always-on, hyper-connected world a disconnect often occurs between personal and professional appropriateness when using social networking sites.

I am a faithful user of social networking sites and, despite the several hundred options available, I choose to focus my attention on using the most widely adopted sites like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Ning.  While using these sites, I constantly see people Tweet, write wall posts, and add images to online profiles in ways that are unique and customized to their individual and professional identities.  These sites allow users to tell the world, or sometimes just their friends, the good, bad, and ugly events of their lives.  The emerging question being asked is, “Are you helping or hurting your professional career through your online social interactions?”

What you say and do online is never really off the clock.  Those seeking a sense of digital downtime should remember the Web never forgets and someone can always tune in.  Your boss, co-worker, competition or customer could be viewing the photos and conversations you choose to post on your social networks.
 
Employers are already searching online social networking sites to discover the real person behind the polished interviewee.  A survey conducted by CareerBuilder.com in 2008 found that one in five employers use social networking sites to research job candidates.  If “employee fit” is important to hiring managers, then personal profiles on social networking sites can help companies determine whether or not a potential or current employee matches the culture, goals and focus of the organization.  Ask yourself, “If my current or potential employer found my social networking profile and scrolled through the posted activity, would the impression be positive or negative for my career?”

So how can you avoid hurting your career while enjoying the fun side of social networking?  The following five suggestions will help preserve your personal flare, while maintaining your professional integrity:

1.    Be real.  Have fun and be the best you that you can be.  Have something interesting, relevant or tastefully funny to say?  Post it to your network.  Be a living, breathing, thinking, and flesh and bones human being.  You just might find new friends, clients or your next job offer.

2.    Act as if.  Imagine that your boss, a client, or an interviewer will see or read everything you post.  How would that change what you share with your network? What you say, do, and share online is easier to find and track than day-to-day live interactions, so be mindful of your activity.

3.    Align your social profile(s) to your brand identity.  Reinforce the great qualities you possess by aligning your messages.  Do you have great communication skills?  Are you knowledgeable in your field?  How you describe yourself in person and on your resume should be reinforced with your online profile(s).

4.    Mind your manners.  Adhering to “social netiquette” demonstrates professionalism and helps build your career.  Avoid bashing competitors, swearing and attacking people in and outside of your network.
 
5.    Understand your options.  If you’re going to post personal content, then adjust your settings accordingly.  If you choose to post photos of you and your friends having a few too many adult beverages over the weekend, make sure only your friends can see them.  

Social networking sites are great for making new and building existing relationships.  These sites provide an amplified way to communicate the important, and sometimes mundane, updates in your personal and professional life.  When used properly these sites can enhance your message and professional image, but improper use can have a negative impact on your career.  Who you are online should be a mirror image of who you are in person.  Of course, if you’re a jerk in person, you will most likely be a jerk on social networking sites too.
 
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Ben Quintana works for the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce as the founder and manager of the Boise Young Professionals and director of business development for the Boise Valley Economic Partnership.  Ben can be found on Twitter as @benquintana.

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