Social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn can be incredibly useful tools for those in the channel to connect with clients, prospects, vendors and even future employers. But every rose has its thorns. The extremely informal nature of social networking communication tends to invite participants to let their guard down.
If you’re not careful, you may just make that misstep that could cost you a potential opportunity down the line, or worse yet, cost you your job right now.
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Social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn can be incredibly useful tools for those in the channel to connect with clients, prospects, vendors and even future employers. But every rose has its thorns. The extremely informal nature of social networking communication tends to invite participants to let their guard down. If you’re not careful, you may just make that misstep that could cost you a potential opportunity down the line, or worse yet, cost you your job right now. By Ericka Chickowski
Exposing your double life
A recent survey conducted by CareerBuilder found that 35 percent of potential employers who checked up on candidate’s social networking profiles passed up on prospects due to content they posted. Tops on the list of no-nos were provocative photos and content or photos of them drinking or using drugs. Publicly consumable evidence that shows you to be anything but Polyanna during off hours may be TMI.
Exposing your banal life
This flip side of the coin isn’t so much a career killer as it is a career dampener. Boring your prospects and customers every day about the contents of your meals, the items on your honey-do list and other yawn-worthy topics eventually puts you on their mental ‘irritating and irrelevant’ list.
Dissing the boss
A recent Internet memo made the rounds in August showing just how dangerous thoughtless social networking posts can be: one gal was fired on Facebook after calling her boss a ‘pervvy wanker,’ forgetting that she'd friended him at some point. Whether the head cheese is on your network or not, word of your negativity will get around.
Dissing the customer
Similarly, you don’t want to use social networking as a platform to moan about difficult customers. Especially not by name. Even if they’re not on your friends list, it makes you look highly unprofessional in the eyes of other customers, prospects, bosses and colleagues.
Inappropriate Rants
No matter what your political views, if you express them rudely enough you’re bound to tick someone off. As a corollary: posts with racist, sexist and off-color remarks and links reflect poorly on your judgment, if not your attitude about life. If you really insist on pushing the envelope of tasteful commentary, at least consider utilizing privacy settings.
Exposing business wins too early
Think twice, three times and maybe even a fourth time before you boast about landing that new Fortune 10 client for a big project. Is the customer willing to be identified? Are your marketing people planning a big press release soon? Do the customer’s regulatory requirements preclude much publicity about a project? If you don’t know the answers to these questions, wait off on the update.
Disclosing customer secrets
Loose lips sink relationships. A seemingly innocuous comment about a project could well tip your customer’s hand to the competition—especially if you’re friended with contacts at both organizations. Watch very carefully what you say about work you’ve done for clients. Not doing so could make your business liable and cost you your job.
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