I can usually figure out if someone belongs to a secret society or a Greek letter organization by looking at their social media profile. Folks who provide too much information or inappropriate information are usually GDIs. Folks who are strategic in what they post? Usually they’re very savvy and are also likely a member of a social or professional organization that modeled for them the best ways to communicate.
I’m a member of Delta Sigma Theta, and my prophytes definitely taught me the value of good sense and good judgment. They also taught me when it’s best to say nothing at all.
Consider this: Someone on Twitter said that he had a job interview with a friend of mine. This guy said that he walked into the office, sat down with my friend and later received an email stating that my friend was very impressed with his work.
Another person on Twitter said she wanted an internship and she then proceeded to Tweet every step of the job interview process – even stating that the interviewer (me!) was late for the interview. That is, until she realized that she and I were not in the same time zone.
Need I go on?
Twitter is cute and fun and all that, but it’s dangerous when used without discretion or without plain old common sense. I showed my friend the tweets about the job interview that he allegedly conducted. My friend says that he never interviewed that individual and in fact, has no idea who that person might be. #interestingaintit
As far as the person who tweeted that I was late for interview? Well, the person later tweeted that she was wrong. But the damage was done. I can’t use someone who doesn’t know when and how to keep her mouth shut. And I really can’t use someone who has a demonstrated ability to make bad decisions (and no clue about time zones to boot!)
And liars? What’s the point? What could possibly come from lying about a job interview on Twitter? The person still doesn’t have a job and now they will never get a job at that company because my friend flagged the name. (Turns out the person had, in fact, submitted a resume for consideration.)
Job seekers of a certain age don’t seem to understand that they are being watched. They think they are beating the system. I see them congratulate themselves by openly stating that they aren’t drinking the Kool-Aid. Yet, they’re tweeting day and night.
Newsflash: Twitter IS the Kool-Aid.
With all the twitter mishaps that have gone public in the media over the last few years, you would think people would be a bit more conscious of what they post regardless of age. I’ve been extremely mindful of my comments during my own searches. There have been a few instances when I came up with really witty tweets regarding the job search/interview process, but refrained from posting them. I decided I’ll just disguise the situations in a movie script or novel. By then I’m sure that business will have forgotten all about it. Thanks for posting!
Common sense isn’t so common, I suppose. Who knew that the old cliche was true? I thought we’d evolved beyond that. Anyhoo. Thanks for reading.
Timely and important post. Should be issued with every new Twitter and Facebook account!
Thanks. One of my twitter followers says it’s got to be an “age thing.” But I don’t know. Some of the people with zero discretion are waaay older than me. Makes our job easier, I suppose. Thank goodness for Twitter! Now I know what I’m up against.
Goes to show you that the traditional resume is becoming more and more irrelevant. Between Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, social media profile is now the new resume.
Well.. I’d have to disagree with you on that. Your resume is the MOST important document. But after submitting your resume – if an employer finds you interesting – they will search out your social media profile to see if you like to kill cats on Saturdays or some other type of red flag that might indicate that you would be a poor employee. Actually social media makes it easier to weed the bad ones out the bunch. But the resume is what opens the door in the first place.
Good article. I’m not a big Tweeter myself but I can see how it can become addictive…and dangerous if you’re indiscreet.
Don’t be a twit when you Tweet.
I like that: don’t be a twit when you tweet.
I agree with you…common sense is not as common as it should be. Social Media is a platform that should be used wisely.