Managing Social Media is Mandatory

We all use social media to stay in touch with friends and family but did you know that it can affect college admissions or job recruitment?

Is there is anything on your social media pages that you wouldn’t want your future mother-in-law or employer to see?  If there is, then take it down NOW.  Even that funny photo of you chugging down beer in that cute red plastic cup — delete it, and all of them, now.

That photo of you kissing your boyfriend? Yup, delete. Your trip to Vegas — by the way, what happens in Vegas, and anywhere online, never stays in Vegas… As a matter of fact, consider it blackmail fodder in the future!

Let’s face it; there is NO PRIVACY.  If you haven’t already, Google your name to see what comes up. Seriously, you’ll be surprised by what you’ll find!

So whether you’re a high school student working on getting into a top college, or you’re a college graduate seeking a great job, you need to create an online presence that will appeal to the admissions or interview committees.  ASSUME THAT THEY WILL SEE IT.  I’m shocked by what people continue to post on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  Not because of WHAT is posted, but because of who will see these little gems in the future.  That hilarious drunken photo from college is a pebble thrown in the pond of your life, and it creates a ripple that can affect your future.

Successful applicants do more than just clean up their social media presence. They actually build their brand for everyone to see. By creating websites, YouTube videos and Kickstarter campaigns, their names show up “above the fold” in search engines. Using your name in your titles will also ensure that you pop up before other people with the same or similar names.

Of course, you do need to do something to bring attention to yourself, and I always encourage students to do projects. Pick something that you are interested in and passionate about. Then create a website and/or a YouTube video to promote this project. This will bring the right type of attention to you — the kind of attention that gets you that acceptance letter into a top college or that job or promotion you’re seeking.

By creating your social “brand,” you’re setting yourself up for success.