Be careful what you tweet!
We’ve been advertising for an online journalism intern for the website. On Friday, I was emailed what sounded like a very promising application from a second year uni student. I was about to get her in for an interview when I forwarded it to my colleague Dave, the web editor.
Social media-minded as ever, he checked out her Twitter profile. You would not believe her most recent tweet to a friend: “Did I tell you I can’t bludge anymore at work? My boss sits RIGHT next to me… I think he knows I do jack all!”
Two words: oh dear!
These days it’s pretty standard to Google people who apply for a job you’re advertising. It’s now the norm to check people’s Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn profiles, especially when you’re employing Gen Y people and when you’re a Gen Y employer, which I am. We were of course hoping to find out that someone applying for an online journalism internship was social media savvy. We weren’t trying to catch anyone out. But suffice to say she won’t be getting an interview.
My advice to anyone in the job market (no, make that anyone at all) is to be smart about what information about yourself is publicly available. As a rule of thumb, would you be happy for your mum to read it? Showing personality on Twitter is absolutely fine. In fact I, and many experts who know way more than me, suggest that having real personality behind a Twitter profile is a very good thing.
My own Twitter profile (@jenbishopsydney) is full of all kinds of details about my personal life, from what I had for breakfast to which handbag I’m lusting after, as well as links to stories on this website and commentary on small business issues. My followers though, know that I edit Dynamic Business magazine, so I don’t swear (I don’t like swearing on Twitter anyway) and I always bear in mind that anyone we do business with could access my open profile. If someone was headhunting me for my dream job (if I didn’t already have it, right?!) I’d be happy for them to read everything I tweet, even though some of it’s just silly.
The girl I mention is a student so some would say let her write what she likes in her personal Twitter profile, right? Maybe. But would you want her in your office after reading that?
Did I mention her Twitter bio simply says ‘potty mouth’?
I rest my case.
Is it the new tools that are making it easier (if not downright encouraging us) to share things about ourselves that previously were restricted to close friends….Or is it the generation who believe it is their right (and that we may in fact be interested) to tell us every little thing about their day?
Their argument of course would be…But I am only human, so it is OK to show my human failings and flaws. I am a complex beast comprising strengths, weaknesses, addictions, fetishes and the occassional f-word.
But if you use the ‘human’ argument then you have to accept that we are only human too….and therefore we will jump to instant judgements about you by how you present yourself to the world.
Back in the ‘olden days’ (80s, 90s) you simply would not share your hang-overs, break-ups, or babies sleepless night, with your boss. You tried to keep quite that your life had any other component to it than your job.
Glad it is not that way anymore….but perhaps we have gone too far in the other direction?
Thanks Jen for showing a real world example of what can be thought of my many as an Urban Myth.
I believe anything posted online should be written as if your clients/boss/family are sitting behind you. That goes for blogs, websites, social media, linkedin, or even comments to articles like this one.
May I suggest to your unsuccessful applicant to take a leaf out of @iconic88′s book and learn how positive content can have the exact opposite effect and actually draw people / businesses to you rather than push them away.
Humour, no?
I don’t know about the context in which her tweet was made, but it sounds like the sort of thing quite a few people might say in jest if they were sitting beside their boss.
Variations might include “need to be on my toes, I’m sitting next to the boss now”. Whose to know if her boss saw it and thought her tweet was a hoot?
Thanks, I am doing a guest lecture soon about professional online branding for emerging practitioners at a uni so will use this as a case study
Hi Jen
This is a tough one. I personally don’t agree with profiling candidates for jobs based on social media interactions – mainly because it’s incredibly difficult to understand the context in which comments or “opinions” are meant.
I work in the recruitment & talent industry, and it’s an issue that’s garnered a bit of focus recently… here are some (both sides of the argument) blog posts about this exact issue which I think intelligently cover the implications either way:
Riges Younan (@rigesyounan) – http://bit.ly/9iuKbq
Aaron Dodd (@AaronDodd) – http://bit.ly/avUO5S
Justin Hillier (@Justin_Hillier) – http://bit.ly/9HrAIN
Jared Woods (@jaredw78) – http://bit.ly/dfwVkY
Michael Specht (@mspecht) – http://bit.ly/aaIQW3
Great piece, Jen and some really good advice. I’ve often been quoted recommending that you shouldn’t post anything online that you wouldn’t say/show your mother – it should probably now extend to current or prospective employers!
I agree with Tony Cosentino’s comment – keep it positive and people will be drawn to you naturally.
Hey Jen, Interesting read. I think people should definitely consider what they post online in any network because the fact is anyone could see it..
My issue is with people taking photographs on their iphones of high profile athletes/celebs etc when they might be enjoying themselves in a (private) social setting… The athlete or celeb is obviously uncomfortable in this situation – and don’t know how to ask the person to stop taking a photo.. Surely there should be some discretion by employers when it comes to online content – you cant always control all of the content on the net?
Ouch not an ideal situation for the candidate at all.
I was doing something recently on a similiar topic and came across some advice from Robert Scoble on tips for people looking for jobs. It is a long list and could perhsp be condensed, but I thought there was some good tips. Check it here:
http://scobleizer.com/2009/01/12/if-you-are-laid-off-heres-how-to-socially-network/
I’ve read some of your previous “blogs” and it seems to me that you hold yourself in very high regard, perhaps too high.
The applicant is 19. She’s young, she isn’t as savvy as you are and it would have been an excellent opportunity for you to have her under your tutelage. Instead you choose to “stalk” and make a judgement based on an online comment/profile without giving her the courtesy of meeting her face to face. That seems particularly arrogant and shallow to me.
She’s better off without your role.
It’s also very easy to find who she is through your description.
I reiterate my point. She’s better off without your role.
Oh dear, more perpetuating of the myth that you cannot express socially anything about your job. If the candidate here was happy in her role she wouldn’t be applying for a new one would she? Maybe the fact that she is underutilised or appreciated is why she is seeking a forward thinking employer…?
I really hope this short sighted thinking is stamped out in the coming years because
a) there is little to no context in text based communication
b) social communication is not intended for professional ears…ever
c) As the saying goes “If you don’t want to be offended, don’t look in your neighbour’s window.” Meaning there will always be something objectionably with someone else. Pick on what is important, like whether they will fit in with the team, and capable of performing the role.
Being a corporate manager for the last 10 years I have always employed on personality first as skills can be trained, personality can’t.
Seriously, be the change we all want instead of continuing on imposing shackles on the enjoyment we all should be allowed to express.
Hey Jen
Is that the same person who emailed you to postpone her interview?
Note to Bert: I think you have watched too many re-runs of My Fair Lady
OK, would I want a handbag obsessed whinging pom who professes to silly publications on her blog, working for my serious magazine??? It is amazing the info you can pick up from small snippets on the web – sounds like this young lady has dodged a bullet!
Would you judge Shakespear by one of his postcards, or Einstein from a beermat scribbling?
Still it will leave the rest of us with developed interviewing skills to pick the talent you so easily dismiss . – Be careful what you blog!
No jobs for me then
I’m interested to know if the people who think I was harsh in not offering her an interview likewise think that you shouldn’t judge anyone positively on the basis of their publicly available information on social media either? I’ve certainly offered someone a job largely on the basis of their social media profile. It was an online job. It made sense.
And are you honestly saying that if you were in the same boat you would be keen to work with that person?
Also, I wouldn’t say liking handbags makes you a bad person or that checking out someone’s Twitter profile (which my colleague did) is stalking.
@NoBSSEO No, that’s a different person! She was due to come for an interview at 12 and at 12 I received an email (not phone call) saying she couldn’t make it because her car had broken down the night before! She emailed me from her work address so I assume she was indeed able to get into work at her current job. I offered her the chance to come in at another time and she didn’t bother replying! Not to worry though as we have had some excellent candidates
Hi Jen,
I think people need to realise that what they send live to the world is fair game. I don’t know of too many people in the IT industry that would not understand that when you are applying for a job the first thing your potential employer is going to do is Google your name! I do think if she originally warranted an interview based on her resume, then perhaps you might grant her the opportunity to meet with you, however, in saying that …. I too would be hesitant about hiring someone with that profile and feed to represent my brand.
Cheers, Lauren
I doubt there is a HR professional anywhere in the world who doesn’t check social network profiles and history on prospective employees.
So if you are a dope smoking, alcoholic, vandal who makes a sport out of taking sickies and stealing stationery etc….. then either keep it off the net or expect not to get a new job.
Regardless of our privacy laws and constitutional rights it is still the responsibility of every employer to select the best staff possible using every legal means at his / her disposal.
I’m all for free speech and expression. I also support the rights of employers to address character issues of prospective employees if they believe that these will adversely affect the ability of a person to be productive in their job.
i don’t want to scare you but… it’s against the law to make a decision on hiring someone based on ‘private’ yet published information. HR people are warned all the time not to cross check with Google and LinkedIn to make those decisions. Certainly blogging that you didn’t hire someone based on information that they did not willingly give you is illegal. Or so that’s my understanding. I did a panel with lawyer last week and that’s what HE said. Privacy commission etc. Caveat I’m not a lawyer.
The examples he gave was finding out of someone was pregnant from a status update then not hiring them cos of maternity leave. Caveat again: I’m not a lawyer. I just want per hour fees
Suggest you find a recruitment specialist that understands the archaic Privacy commission laws and see what they have to say.
Hi Lauren. I did reply and let her know and was secretly hoping she might reply with something smart, or to say she was mortified, in which case I’m sure I would have given her a second chance. But I heard nothing back. At the end of the day there are plenty of students with good resumes applying for this internship and sadly she put herself out of the running. it’s actually been a great experience hearing from and meeting students and graduates with such great attitudes recently
Hi Laurel. It’s a view shared by Scott Rhodie on Twitter after reading this blog! It’s certainly an interesting legal debate and I see the relevance in the context of your example. Do you think it makes a difference that this application was for an unpaid internship where there would be an expectation for us to train this person and give them support? Surely we have a right not to invest our time in someone we get the impression has a slack attitude? At the very least we can’t be accused of taking just anyone as ‘free labour’! While I take your point and thank you for your comment, I think sometimes common sense needs to prevail, no?
Putting aside the legal issue in regard to why or why not you wouldn’t hire this person I think it’s still a timely warning.
When I try and explain it to people I point out that if you showed up to an interview wearing an “eff off we’re full” shirt you are going to be judged right or wrongly it’s just a reality.
Why would you want to limit your chances by putting an obviously poor attitude or representation of yourself out there?
Of course this is said by a guy who has to explain his blog name every time he goes for a job
It’s Quit Your Day Job by the way and I don’t actually mean it literally I’m talking about… never mind
Hi Jen,
You’ve brought up a very interesting situation here.
As both an employer & a social media advocate I am curious about the legal issue brought up by Laurel Papworth.
Common sense should definitely prevail, as you say Jen, but as we know the law doesn’t always equate the common sense especially as the law struggling to keep up with social media.
As an employer for Bluewire Media, it makes logical sense to peruse someone’s social media presence (particularly if the candidate is applying for a digital role) yet I am loathe to do it if there could be legal ramifications.
In short, I don’t know what I should be doing! Can anyone help from a legal standpoint….?
Social Media certainly has opened the doors to our lives being more accessible and many professionals suggest that you maintain a professional and social twitter account separately in an attempt to protect yourself from some of the so called pitfalls of this level of openness.
However I believe that the key is just being real in your sole twitter account. Just like Jen my twitter account is a mix of personal and professional tweets and I would always be happy for Mum to read it.
Today, perhaps more than ever, work and social life are blended together and you bring your whole self to the workplace. Sure my whole self may not be a perfect fit for every organization but a review of my twitter account would reveal that I might have a long lunch some days and then work in to the wee hours because of my passion to deliver on a key project on time.
In balance social media, like anything, is an extension of yourself and I believe the more real you are the more it will in time be your greatest extension of your brand and worth.