There is one trend in social media that has me utterly confused... using nicknames, omitting last names, or even using made up names on social media profiles.
When I've asked people about their choice to use fictional names on social media, majority cite their job search as the reasoning behind staying hidden. If you don't use your real name, the chances of being found and judged for your personal life by possible employers minimizes.
But if you use a fictional name, then employers can't find out how passionate you are about your future career and about your life!
In a world where there are hundreds (possibly even thousands) of qualified candidates all going after the same job, wouldn't you want to do everything possible to edge out the competition? Wouldn't you want to scream your qualifications, your experience, your skillset, and your passion from the rooftops? Wouldn't you want to get your name and your story in front of the people that matter by every means possible? How about hiring an advertising agency to plaster your resume on billboards?
Social media is your key to your dream career.
You are you own best spokesperson, salesperson, and advertising agency and social media is the best way to get your name out there and land the job!
Don't get me wrong, there are some people who have valid excuses for staying hidden like teachers. In high school, I found my student teacher's dating profile and let's just say a lot of people knew about it the following day at school. He definitely should have used a pen name. But overall for the majority of people, you don't want to be invisible.
You are suspicious in your absence.
In this day in age it is assumed that 99% of people have at least a Facebook account so when a perspective employer tries and looks you up and they come up empty-handed, suspicious run wild.
What are you hiding?
Employers aren't stupid. Just as they assume you have a Facebook and maybe other social profiles, they also assume you have a life. They assume you go out on Fridays and you drink wine on Tuesdays. They're really not surprised you binge watch trashy TV and you like kitten videos.
What you are hiding is your personality and things that give your character and things that could make an employer want you as part of your team!
Don't hide.
An employer might find your profile and love that you're interested in cooking or golfing or find that you have incredible wit judging by your BitStrips. Even though these might sound like insignificant attributes to who you are, they could be the deciding factor over another person. Maybe the other guy seemed like a wet blanket but your profile showcased you as a more personable member of their team.
I recently received an email from someone working on a new project/start-up. His email said my Twitter and blog had been passed on to him by a colleague, who I don't know personally but have networked with in the past, and he thought I would make a great addition to their team. Even though this project has nothing to do with social media he said, "you have passion for whatever you're involved with and you're a damn good writer."
Don't hide who you are, but be smart.
Tips for Keeping Your Social Media Employer Friendly
1. Make Your Social Presence a Mix of Personal and Passion - Don't be afraid of social media and don't be afraid to be you. Be transparent and honest. You can still check-in at the bar and the mall, but don't forget to share relevant posts about your industry or something else you love. Use the 60:40 rule, 60 percent of personal nature with 40 percent being professional posts or curated posts. Curated posts can include news, opinion blogs you have an opinion on, local support, etc.
Use a public forum like Twitter or a blog to show your personality and your passion for something you love. This "something" doesn't even have to be something related to your desired career, it could be as simple as your love for home decorating, coin collecting, fried pickles, or dressing up and photographing your dog. Showing commitment to something like an idea or a hobby will show a perspective employer that you have desire and passion that you can easily transfer to the workplace.
2. Know, Understand, and Utilize Privacy Controls - This is probably one of the most important piece of having a successful and appropriate social presence. It is possible to be present without being an open book. This is especially important for Facebook. It is so difficult with the changes in the the News Feed to control what about you is available to the public. As hard as you might try, it is just as difficult to keep you mom from posting and tagging your in embarrassing baby photos as it is to keep your friend from posting that picture of you praying to the porcelian god last weekend. The best choice is to keep your entire timeline locked down to friends-only. The exception to this rule, however, is your current profile picture and your About section. Make sure these two elements make you shine and show your personality.
3. Control, Monitor, Damage Control - Your image is everything. Your image online can be your first impression to a perspective employer and it can make or break you before you even get a chance to open your mouth and talk to them face-to-face. Let your friends and family know that you're sensitive to what is posted of you and about you online. Ask them to respect your wishes and to check with you before posting. Then pay attention to what is being posted. Monitor yourself online, daily. Set up Google Alerts, a free service that will alert you if your name is used anywhere on the internet. When something unsavory is posted, take the necessary action to either have it taken down or your name removed from the post.
4. Be Active - Not only do you need to actively monitor and build your image but you should be using social platforms to network and meet others. Meet people already in your desired industry as well as others who are trying to get a foot in the door. Ask questions, get advice, and give advice. Be an active member of a professional community. Show your personality and your passion.
Bottom line: Stop hiding and put your best foot forward. If you're serious about your future career then you cannot deny the power of social media can hold for it.
