It’s Called Social Media For A Reason

One of the things people ask me about most is the fine line between personal and professional on Social Media.

It’s usually recruiters, that I meet in a professional setting, who are most concerned about how much to give away on social sites like Twitter.

I tell them not to worry, as long as they don’t act like a potty mouthed bully, everything will be fine. They still give me *worried face* and ask if it’s ok to “be casual” – whatever that means!?

Social networks are social settings. I wouldn’t go to a party and talk about my job all night or, even worse, talk about nothing but how my company is hiring right now and would you like a job? That would make me very unpopular very fast.

If someone asked about my job then I’d reply. If they told me what they did and I thought they might fit in where I work – I’d probably tell them so. I wouldn’t pull an application form out of my handbag though. Think of social networking like that. Don’t hide who you are and what you do, but don’t let it define you either. Your humanity is your greatest advantage on social sites.

People will respond to your passions. Once you’ve shared a little idle chat about pie, music or Christmas, those people are much more likely to engage with you again about something more serious.

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Tagged as: career, personal brands, professional, social media, Social Networks, twitter