To post or not to post…..
After reading countless blogs and articles on how important it is to keep your information safe online, you may ask yourself…Is it better to avoid social networking sites all together? This of course is one of the simplest ways to keep your personal information out of the hands of harmful individuals. But can not having an online identity at all be harmful as well?
Not having an online profile, while it may ensure your personal information is safe, could also be detrimental to your chances at a job later in life. “Today’s employers are looking for candidates who have a degree of social media and communications skills as well as an online presence” (National Post). Today’s youth are expected to be extremely knowledgeable when it comes to the internet and its communication possibilities. By establishing a presence in social networks and among your friends and colleagues, you show potential employers that you are familiar with how these tools work. Your social networking and e-communication skills may even look good on your resume.
This doesn’t mean that all employers expect you to have a Facebook or Twitter account. There are several other ways to leave your digital footprint, including; writing a blog or posting comments, posting opinions on news articles, creating a specialized website, signing up for a profile on professional networking sites. It goes on and on …
Before you start posting away, keep in mind that no matter what you’re doing on the Internet it’s always important to think carefully about the message you leave behind. The Internet can be a great tool to present yourself to future employers but can also turn out to be the reason for lost job opportunities.