Social Media Mistakes that Could Damage your Career

by Clare Reynolds, Marketing Executive, Sigmar Recruitment

As managers become more tech savvy and social media increases to grow in popularity, it would be foolish to think that your online activity isn’t being noticed by those you work with. This isn’t to say you should delete all your socials and go live under a rock, but it is important to be cautious about what you are posting. Here are some things you should avoid doing if you want to keep your manager happy.

Logging on During Work Hours
This is a big no no! Most of us have several social media accounts and have notifications popping up throughout the day but it is advisable not to check these notifications during your working day. Your employer pays you to do your job and being seen using social media during the day could very easily cost you that job. Check your socials on your phone during break times and avoid social media during work hours especially on your work computer.

Using Text Language
When you’re used to texting, it can be very easy to use text language in emails without even realising. However, attention to detail is important to employers and it is seen as unprofessional to use text language in important emails. Avoid using words like:
“coz” for because
“2” instead of to and too
“u” for you

Posting Inappropriate Photos
Everyone is partial to a night out every once in a while, but it’s important to remember on work nights out in particular, to avoid posting inappropriate posts and photos. It may seem like a bit of harmless fun but it could show you in an unappealing light to your employer. Even sharing photos of your friend’s drunken antics could be an issue to your employer.

Posting Tasteless Comments
Social media is an open platform for all kinds of opinions. However, any comment meant to offend or discriminate will not be accepted by your employer or colleagues. Always be wary of how open you are with your opinions online and avoid posting any malicious or discriminatory comments, as well as sharing content of the same nature.

Complaining About Your Job/Boss Online
Even if you dislike your job or your boss, you should never post anything negative about your workplace online. Doing this could affect you being hired by future employers. If you need to vent negatively about your job or work relationships, it’s best to speak face to face with someone you trust. You could even consider writing your feelings down on a piece of paper and binning it afterwards.

Posting Content About Searching For A New Job
Unless your colleagues and employer are aware of your job search, like in an instance of redundancy or you’re in your final weeks of a temporary contract, you shouldn’t go public on social media about your job search. If your employer becomes aware of your plan to leave the company, they are in a position to find a replacement for you straight away. You could find yourself being replaced before you’ve even found yourself a new job.

Cyber Bullying
This is never ok and it’s seen as a social media mistake in general not just for your career. Avoid any malicious activity with or against any of your colleagues. This could cost you your job and potentially future jobs.

Sharing Confidential Information
With most employment contracts you sign a declaration to not disclose any confidential information outside of your workplace. It is particularly important to keep private matters off social media. This applies to good information as well. It can be very easy to share good news about your company but often companies like to announce their news publicly themselves. You could find yourself in trouble if you announce information on your own social media before the company wanted to share it.

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