Social Media Views
When I was a teenager, social media websites were a way to express myself, my opinions, interact with friends and look back on memories. Never once did I think, “I should probably watch what I say because in a few years future employers will judge me by this one website.” My mindset was not on my career, which I would like to think is normal. My main focus at the time was to have fun with my friends. I did not think future employers would look back to when I was 17 or younger and judge me or consider not to hire me. I was carefree and thought that since my profile was private, it was safe.
Growing up into adulthood, I slowly changed my profiles to become more professional looking. I had to watch what I posted, what pictures I was tagged in, and what my friends were writing on my wall. I realized that nothing is private even when it claims to be. I have to watch what I say and post because one wrong post can change the way people view me and in a professional setting that can be quite damaging.
Businesses today think that they have the right to ask for my Facebook and/or Twitter passwords and to me that is not okay. Even to just look at my profile seems too much for me. Social media, in my opinion, is supposed to be entertaining and a place where you can express yourself. No person acts the same way at work as they do with their friends or family and I feel that businesses expect everyone to be professional on a 24/7 basis. That is not who everyone is all the time. It is not who I am and I do not think I should have to act professional on my Facebook or Twitter because that is a place where I connect with my friends not with businesses. A website like LinkedIn is a place to be your professional self. Write all of your achievements, internships, volunteer work and so on. I don’t think it is fair for employers to “creep” on how you act with your friends because it is none of their business.
I agree that there are boundaries on what should and should not be put online. Social media users should be aware about the damages these websites can cause but it should not restrain them from being themselves. My personal opinion is that employers should give drug tests or type names into Google and look for police reports or anything negative tied to that person’s name. Looking at your Facebook and/or Twitter does not represent your professional self all the time and a person should not be judged solely on one wrong post or tweet.
March 12, 2013 @ 9:05 am
I guess social media has solved many people’s problems. Whether you applying for a job, meeting with someone, viewing your old mates all these can be done from most of the social media’s.