I started thinking seriously about virtual branding after a recent visit from my niece, who, after taking a few months to travel in South America following graduation from college, returned home to apply for jobs. She stopped by for some help with her resume and some coaching for an upcoming interview. Wanting to show me a few pictures from her trip, she logged onto her Facebook page. As we sat together and scrolled through her photo albums, I was appalled. Now admittedly, I’m two generations removed from Millennials and much has changed regarding etiquette and behavior during that time.
However, of the 300-some pictures on her Facebook page, about 280 of them showed her in party mode with drink in hand or tilting towards her glassy-eyed inebriated friends. And the kicker was a photo of her smoking a hookah. When I shrieked at that one, she said very innocently, “We’re not smoking grass, Aunt Peggy! It’s tobacco!”
Although that might be the truth, I explained, a potential employer couldn’t possibly know that. It’s a well-known fact that employers not only Google potential employees but also look them up on sites like Facebook and MySpace. And, though I might be accused by some Gen-Yers of being old fashioned, the photos my niece had posted on her Facebook site did not portray the image of her she would want hiring managers to have. She reluctantly agreed to revise her selection of photos and delete the incriminating ones.
Social media is a powerful tool that can do wonders for our businesses, rekindle relationships, make us feel more connected, and save us time. But unfortunately, if left unattended, it can become a negative gift that keeps on giving. For some tips on making social media work for you, not against you, click here.
