Whether you are trying to get a job or you have one and want to keep it, one thing that you must consider is your social media use. Whether you love Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr or Pinterest, you have a presence on the web, and chances are good that you have identified yourself in some way on these programs.
The first thing that you need to know is that your employer definitely checks up on your social network use. The larger the company, the more likely this is. The employer is ensuring that you do not mention the company in a negative fashion and that you do not slip any confidential information to the public. As long as you are doing neither of these things, most companies do not officially have a position on your social network use.
However, you should also consider the fact that whether they can reprimand you for the use of social networks or not, you are forming an impression with your web presence. If you have done something over the weekend that you would rather not have your employer know about, make sure that you do not make those facts public. In the fun of sharing your experiences with the people who are closest to you, you will find that it can be easy to let a picture or a comment slip through. If you think it would be awkward for an employer to find out about something you did, lock it down and ask your friends to be discreet with it.
Most companies are only interested in protecting their own interests and their own reputations. However, you will find that things that you have placed on your social networks will reflect upon you, even if it is never stated outright. When you are on the Internet, it is important for you to remember first that the Internet is a very public place, and second that once something is on the Internet, you never know if it might get spread around.
You should never be seen checking your social media networks while you are at work. Unless you are working on a a social network presence for your company, social networks are seen as strictly entertainment related. Even being on break while you check your Facebook at your company computer can raise some eyebrows.
It is absolutely possible to be a professional with an active, personal Facebook or Twitter account, but you should always be careful. Simply be sure that you are always representing yourself in the best light.
