Monday 27 February 2012

Your Resume Destroyed by a Negative Social Media Image


As I said in my last post "Many HR writers and articles are now asserting that your social media profile is your new resume."

Last time I wrote about the 'positives'.

So what can kill your chances of a job interview and even perhaps destroy your current career.

The one that leaps out is photos, photos, photos… you must not ever allow unflattering photos of yourself to appear anywhere… ever.

Fred videoed in his company shirt
swearing, drinking and raving on.
Being Overly Opinionated can also be risky so keep your views on politics, race, religion, pet hates and people you detest out of your social media activities… always.

Trouble at work is a no comment zone. If you are having problems at work keep it work and take it up directly with your employer. Even if you leave your next potential employer will see that you are willing to publicly denigrate those that pay your salary and will not therefore consider you as a suitable applicant.

Take care with  the colourful language. Now amongst mates or your circle of girlfriend it may be the norm however in written or recorded public messages it just a no no!


Comment about drugs and drinking cannot be discussed… A casual 'hey we all got whacked and pissed last night' can be a definite job killer.

Can I also suggest you remove yourself from unprofessional or 'whacky' groups.

Again and I've said ti many times use a decent email address "sexyric"@html.blah  just wont cut it. Particularly as it is not true.

It's bad to let things slide! If someone does tag you in a photo you don't like or makes derogatory remarks you fight like hell to get it fixed, just leaving it out there is not an option.

Here is a resume example if you need one and your social media profile is clean.

13 comments:

  1. Yep, always choose the right image

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  2. This info can't be said too often. I wonder if this will change as our generation, who had considerably more social shame than this one it seems, ages out of management.

    Will certain behaviors be considered the norm?

    We'll see. Until then, some decorum people!

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  3. It is amazing to me that we will do electronically which we wouldn't dare to do elsewhere. During a massive layoff after 9/11 which we found out about via eMail from a high ranking official within the company one person forwarded just what he thought of the situation to a friend of his including vulgarity. To late he realized that he had clicked reply instead of forward. 30 minutes later he was escorted out of the building via security never to return again. Ouch... now that is a real pain kickers moment.

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  4. Great post. I especially like your reference to topics which should not be the subjects of blog posts. I never engage in blog posts containing race, religion, politics, sex or sports topics. However, if the venue is conducive to such discussion, I might use one of those topics as a conversation piece. Obviously, it attracts lots of attention and traffic to your site. You have to closely monitor the posts and the responses and decide when to cut it off if the dialogue goes beyond professional.

    For help on building a postive self image, check out my 118 Ways to Promote Your Business at http://itmakesscents2me.blogspot.com/2010/11/118-ways-to-promote-your-business.html

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  5. All good advice, but for self-employed entrepreneurs, don't be too bland. Let some personality shine through.

    Not for a moment suggesting any one should be too offensive or over the top - there are enough idiots doing that already - but if your target market is conservative gun owners for example, trying to make out you are a choir boy will not help your image.

    I promote myself as a convincingly contrarian, engagingly eccentric, conservative, down to earth ex-Zimbabwe farmer with many years wide and broad consumer & industrial marketing experience who is now one of the most social media connected baby boomers around.

    Sorry about that long sentence but I am trying to make a point here. So I venture where few dare tread, attacking political correctness, the nanny state, anti-gun attitudes, loss of individual rights etc. But I always try to be polite, do not use bad language and give credit where it is due.

    I try to encourage debate, attack issues not personalities (except for real scumbags) and still have a fair number of liberal readers.

    That's who I am.

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  6. Good post. I think everyone should use some form of "internet ettiquette". It can go a long way and effect what type of friends and network you might be trying to build.

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  7. How about a blog on damage control if someone has a pix that they cannot get off the viral net, for example?

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    Replies
    1. Hi Sarah thats a great idea I'll have to some research. Ric

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  8. Great article. Lots of good and bad things are cleared in my mind about Social Media. And also i mention that if you want to rule through having a better knowledge than social media is the best source for you. Thanks

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