Social Media In The Workplace

The widespread use of social media has struck fear into some employers about decreased workplace focus, unwanted publicity, and a general surge in various work-related claims. But, at the same time, employers also have been able to harness social media for all sorts of benefits, not only with the products they sell or the services they provide, but also as a way to increase employee morale. Social media in the workplace, when used responsibly, can be a valuable tool. Here are a few tips:

Keep it positive:

Don’t use your Facebook status as a public platform. Refrain from using it to vent complaints about your friends, your boyfriend, the co-worker in the adjacent cubicle, or even the clumsy waitress. Keep it classy—and keep your problems to yourself. Whether you’re looking for a job or just looking to keep the one you have, it’s important to remember that what you write matters.

Avoid extreme personas:

This is perhaps most important for those individuals looking for a new job as a survey conducted by CareerBuilder.com found that 37% of employers use social media networks to screen applicants. Your social media behavior could definitely impact whether or not you get a job. With this in mind, it’s best to not have an extreme persona presented on social sites. That doesn’t mean you can’t go out and blow off some steam – if you have a wild night, just keep the photos to yourself. Be cognizant of the image you are portraying.

Privatize:

Not quite the point of social media, but if you’re going to insist on being free to write or post whatever you’d like, and want liberty, the only option is to make your accounts private. Similarly, if you find that what your friends post to your wall is a worrisome reflection of you or your beliefs turn off the function that allows them to do so, or, if you must, “unfriend” them.

Hold back from over-sharing:

Whether personal or professional, over-sharing runs rampant on social media. Many may forget the extent of their reach and audience. It’s time to dial it down. Also, be careful not to accidentally leak any confidential company information through tweets, statuses or pictures. This is perhaps the fastest way to get in to trouble.

Ultimately, social media can be a great tool when it is used appropriately. As we see more employers scanning networks and more individuals getting in to trouble with how they use social media, we can all see just how important it is to use social media responsibly.