As a Career Coach who teaches social media for networking and job hunting I watch what my clients are posting online.
It never ceases to amaze me that about once a year there is a renegade client who refuses to heed my advice and thus commits career suicide.
I have also had clients contact me after they have committed career suicide in order to help them design a strategy to restart their career.
My five tips below will ensure that you do not sabotage your career success.
1.
Know the Corporate or Company Social Media Policy - Many companies have a social media policy that prevents you from talking about the company or your immediate office on social networking sites.
If you did not sign a social media policy when you were hired I recommend you take the initiative and ask your Human Resource Officer if there is a social media policy for the company.
2.
Do NOT Post Negative Comments - I see this social media faux pas created daily on various social media sites.
A person gets online bad mouthing his or her employer and coworkers.
The person is ranting and raving about wanting to smack the person all while calling the person all kinds of foul names.
The offender of course is getting fueled by his or her friends who add their comments about how horrible it must be for the person to work with these idiots or whatever other names they are being called and the rant continues.
I so badly want to ask the person why he or she continues to work there if he or she is so unhappy.
Employers are still using social media to watch what employees are saying about the company.
Do not get yourself fired because you ran your mouth online bad mouthing your coworkers, boss, customers or clients.
You never know when your boss or clients are viewing your online profile.
3.
Do NOT Disclose Trade Secrets - Regardless if your company has a social media policy or not it is wise to not disclose trade secrets.
This means if you work in a bakery you do not post recipes online.
If you work for a company that is struggling financially you do not disclose that information online.
If you are working in a medical facility you do not post online who your latest client was for that day or who was just admitted to the hospital.
It is better to err on the side of caution and be discrete than to run your mouth.
Do not disclose trade secrets or confidential information.
"Loose lips sink ships" is a military saying that applies to all.
4.
Photos - Do not post photos that could cause embarrassment to your employer or you when you return to work on Monday morning.
The news has reported several stories of school teachers being fired after posting bikini clad photos.
Remember, your boss's customers and clients may be watching you online too.
5.
Friend Requests - Depending upon your profession it may be unethical for you to accept a friend request from a client or previous client.
Several mental health professionals have lost their license for accepting the friend request of a former client and engaging in what he or she thought was generic conversation.
But, the former client mistook the conversation as professional advice or a therapeutic relationship and later sued the therapist for misconduct or an inappropriate relationship.
You do not want to blur the boundaries between a friendship and professional relationship.
It is no secret that people love to sue others as a way to make a quick buck.
Do not open yourself or your employer up to be sued for slander or breach of confidentiality.
Do not leave yourself open to be fired for voicing a negative opinion about your employer or coworkers.
When you abide by my five tips on what not to post on social networking sites you will see your career soar.
It never ceases to amaze me that about once a year there is a renegade client who refuses to heed my advice and thus commits career suicide.
I have also had clients contact me after they have committed career suicide in order to help them design a strategy to restart their career.
My five tips below will ensure that you do not sabotage your career success.
1.
Know the Corporate or Company Social Media Policy - Many companies have a social media policy that prevents you from talking about the company or your immediate office on social networking sites.
If you did not sign a social media policy when you were hired I recommend you take the initiative and ask your Human Resource Officer if there is a social media policy for the company.
2.
Do NOT Post Negative Comments - I see this social media faux pas created daily on various social media sites.
A person gets online bad mouthing his or her employer and coworkers.
The person is ranting and raving about wanting to smack the person all while calling the person all kinds of foul names.
The offender of course is getting fueled by his or her friends who add their comments about how horrible it must be for the person to work with these idiots or whatever other names they are being called and the rant continues.
I so badly want to ask the person why he or she continues to work there if he or she is so unhappy.
Employers are still using social media to watch what employees are saying about the company.
Do not get yourself fired because you ran your mouth online bad mouthing your coworkers, boss, customers or clients.
You never know when your boss or clients are viewing your online profile.
3.
Do NOT Disclose Trade Secrets - Regardless if your company has a social media policy or not it is wise to not disclose trade secrets.
This means if you work in a bakery you do not post recipes online.
If you work for a company that is struggling financially you do not disclose that information online.
If you are working in a medical facility you do not post online who your latest client was for that day or who was just admitted to the hospital.
It is better to err on the side of caution and be discrete than to run your mouth.
Do not disclose trade secrets or confidential information.
"Loose lips sink ships" is a military saying that applies to all.
4.
Photos - Do not post photos that could cause embarrassment to your employer or you when you return to work on Monday morning.
The news has reported several stories of school teachers being fired after posting bikini clad photos.
Remember, your boss's customers and clients may be watching you online too.
5.
Friend Requests - Depending upon your profession it may be unethical for you to accept a friend request from a client or previous client.
Several mental health professionals have lost their license for accepting the friend request of a former client and engaging in what he or she thought was generic conversation.
But, the former client mistook the conversation as professional advice or a therapeutic relationship and later sued the therapist for misconduct or an inappropriate relationship.
You do not want to blur the boundaries between a friendship and professional relationship.
It is no secret that people love to sue others as a way to make a quick buck.
Do not open yourself or your employer up to be sued for slander or breach of confidentiality.
Do not leave yourself open to be fired for voicing a negative opinion about your employer or coworkers.
When you abide by my five tips on what not to post on social networking sites you will see your career soar.