Social media can be an excellent way to network to find a job or build your business. But it can also get you into trouble.
Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter are the top three Social Networking Sites (SNS). Many of you already actively participate on at least one of these sites. But, are you really using them to your best advantage? And do you understand the pitfalls? SNS can both help and hurt your career.
This post will cover Facebook and subsequent posts will cover LinkedIn and Twitter.
Facebook is extremely popular with approximately 845 million active users, and people spending an average of 20 minutes each time they visit the site. With this much exposure, it makes sense to be more purposeful and aware of your Facebook presence.
Let’s start with some cautions. Think of Facebook as a national newspaper: don’t post anything you wouldn’t want to see on the front page of the New York Times. Although you may think your profile is private because you set it up that way, it is still possible for academic departments and employers to look at what you think is for your friends’ eyes only. So don’t post pictures of you hanging upside down in a bikini drinking from a beer bong. It will be next to impossible for an admissions committee to take you seriously. Don’t allow yourself to be tagged in photos showing you in an unflattering light. And I don’t mean bad lighting or bad hair, I mean in a compromising position. Examples: see beer bong comment, above.
But photos aren’t the only areas of caution. Be mindful of the content you are posting. Although free speech is legal, doesn’t mean it’s wise. Don’t write anything that could be misconstrued. So save your complaining about the teacher that made you use proper grammar for your friends. Posting that on Facebook could tag you (no pun intended) with the label “lazy.” Definitely not the impression you want to make on an admissions committee. And it may be best to keep strong religious and political opinions to yourself. Remember that legal case I wrote about a few months ago? What if that student had posted privately that she was against counseling gays and lesbians? Can you imagine her shock when her academic department confronts her and requires her to prove that it isn’t true? So, think before you post. Remember, it’s the front page headline of the New York Times.
So, how can you use it effectively?
- By all means be social. Social communications, or word of mouth, are quickly becoming the most effective way to advertise and network. Accept friend requests, but only from people you have actually met and feel comfortable with. Save LinkedIn for those connections that could be useful but you’d prefer to keep to a strictly professional level. Explore other people’s friends lists to expand your network; but only initiate friend requests to those you have met. (Use LinkedIn for the others).
- Post daily about your academic aspirations. Have productive conversations with other students you are connected with.
- Join academic groups on Facebook. It’s a great way to get more information and increase your connections.
- And lastly, post a flattering and professional head shot. Your profile picture is public by default, so choose one that you really don’t mind the world seeing. Remember, think New York Times. Or, in actual terms, think Google Images. Yes, your profile pictures can end up there! So you won’t want a future client searching you and finding you kissing your boyfriend on the beach. And if you do, then we need to have a different type of conversation altogether.
Yours in the Joy of Knowledge,
Barb LoFrisco
Also check:
• https://mastersincounseling.org/resources/30-exceptional-qa-sites-on-effective-relationship-counseling/
• https://mastersincounseling.org/psychology/5-free-online-videos-to-learn-about-mental-health/
• https://mastersincounseling.org/education/what-to-look-for-in-an-online-counseling-program/
