Digital Library

None of us are Immune to the repercussions of our online activities

There are horror stories out there about the person who lost their job because he or she posted derogatory comments about the boss or coworkers, or posted inappropriate photos and jokes.

Workplace social media use has been linked to a decrease in productivity and other negative consequences.   It seems that more than 70 percent of businesses have had to take disciplinary action against employees for misusing social media.   

Don’t be one of those individuals!  

If you work for a company or want to work for a company that trusts its employees to act responsibly, show the organization that you deserve that trust.


Google Yourself

What is social media saying about you?  Will a prospective employer or your current employer view your post, what your friends posts, the comments, photo choices, and then think twice about your judgment or integrity.

  1. Take steps to decrease the likelihood that your social media is causing you professional harm.

  2. Delete posts, photos, tweets that are harmful or dubious.  Untag yourself from questionable photos.  Ask friends to delete photos they have posted.

  3. Be diligent with your privacy settings.  Social media platforms change their rules and operating procedures all the time, you’ll need to stay on top of those changes so you can determine who sees your status, photos, or posts.

  4. One way to strengthen the divide is by maintaining separate work and personal social media accounts.  

  5. Don’t post anything you wouldn’t want your boss or your grandma to see.  The safest thing is to just assume that anything you do on social media will be seen by someone.  What is on the internet is forever, so be aware that what you do and say out there in cyberspace can follow you throughout your career.

Signs of your indiscretion that will be sure to hurt you include:

  • Digital dirt – self-incriminating photos and discussions.  This includes comments you posted “anywhere” online.

  • Trolling – annoying or pointless comments on blogs, friends posts, public pages.

  • Big mouth – anything you might have said that is derogatory about another person, coworker, business, or employer.  Shaming, gossip are big no-no’s.

  • Copious comments and contacts – indiscriminate contacts, accepting friends at random, networking with no foresight resulting in trolls, big mouths, and strangers posting without rhyme or reason to your social accounts.

  • Negativity – very little or no positive content appears on your social media.

  • Overuse of mimes.

You should scrutinize any comments, photos, videos or reviews you may have on Youtube, Yelp, Ebay, Etsy, news sites, or any other public place online.

Create an Online Presence that is Impressive

Social media is mainstream.  An astute online presence can boost your credibility and go a long way toward impressing prospective employers and clients.  Having no social media footprint can make potential clients and employers wonder if you’re out of touch with today’s trends, have nothing to show or something to hide .   

To make a good impression:

1. Have a profile on LinkedIn

If you are not already using LinkedIn, create an account.   If you have an account, make sure it’s updated and add relevant content on a regular basis.  Join affinity groups, and engage in conversations with professionals in your industry.  A strong LinkedIn profile may offset any weaknesses in your personal social media profiles.

2. Make sure your social media presence supports your resume

Failing to update your profile or include details that are on your resume makes you look sloppy.   Failing to update your current employment or listing completely different jobs than your resume makes you look unfocussed or duplicitous.  Post your awards, achievements, education, and skills.

3. Use social media wisely, strategically, and responsibly

If you are an individual you want your content to keep good friends engaged as well as boost your career.   Hiring managers can often use your online presence to see if you would be a good culture fit at their company. 

If you plan to have a business, one of the worst mistakes to make on social media is coming off as the faceless company with zero personality, no goals and no interaction.  In the modern age of transparency, people want to get to know your company on a more personal level. 

  • Post mindfully and positively.  Be authentic.  Act responsibly. 
  • Be selective in posting photos, videos, or reposting content from elsewhere.
  • Post content that fits with your principles and goals. 
  • When you do post or comment, say something positive or important.   
  • Create or post content people actually want to see.  If it is meaningful to you, it will be meaningful to others. 
  • You do not have to post daily to be active.  

4. Be selective about your online friendships

Do your research before you “friend request” or accept a friendship on social media.  Look at what the other person posts, or how they normally comment.  You do not want a troll, loudmouth, gossiper or troublemaker spoiling your image.

Social media can help and hurt you in all stages of your career.   Colleges want students who are forthcoming and strengthen the student body   Employers want to hire someone who is level-headed. Clients want to do business with someone who is trustworthy.  Just because you have been awarded a job, scholarship, or found your niche to be an entrepreneur,  it does not mean you no longer need to exercise discretion over your social media accounts.  Use social media in an interesting and respectful way.



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