5 Things You Should Never Do With Personal Social Accounts

In the digital age, your personal social media accounts wield considerable influence over your professional image. To ensure that your online social presence doesn't compromise your career or professionalism, it is important to be mindful of potentially problematic practices. Here are five things you should never do with your personal social accounts, along with detailed explanations, examples, and tips to navigate this complex terrain on social platforms like Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and more.

1. Reveal too much

Sharing personal moments with friends and family on social media can be wonderful, but you must draw a line between what's suitable for public consumption and what's best kept private. Avoid posting overly personal or questionable content that could raise eyebrows among your present and future employers. This includes provocative pictures, excessive party snapshots, or images that may compromise your professional judgment.

Example: You upload to Facebook pictures from a weekend party where you and your friends are enjoying a few drinks. While the event was meant to be a private celebration, the images may inadvertently create an impression of unprofessionalism, especially if potential employers, employees, or business partners come across them.

Tip: If in doubt about a post or picture, it's best to err on the side of caution. Delete or adjust your privacy settings to ensure sensitive material is not accessible to a broad audience.

2. Indulge in negativity

Your social presence reflects your attitudes and ideas, and consistently negative posts can cast a shadow on your professional image. Recruiters often analyze your online behavior, including patterns of negativity, venting, complaints about your job, or personal feuds. Such actions may raise doubts about your ability to be a team player in the office. If you're a business owner, potential employees or business partners may decide to steer clear of your business if they come across these posts.

Example: You continuously share complaints about your current job on X (formerly Twitter), expressing dissatisfaction with bosses, colleagues, or tasks. This can create a perception that you are not adaptable or can handle workplace challenges.

Tip: Maintain a positive and constructive online presence. Share achievements, professional milestones, and uplifting content. This doesn't mean avoiding authenticity; instead, focus on framing your experiences to highlight your resilience and problem-solving skills.

3. Share controversial content

Politics and religion are sensitive topics that can polarize audiences. Using your personal social accounts to express controversial or discriminatory viewpoints can have serious repercussions. Potential employers, employees, or business partners may interpret such content as a reflection of your values and, consequently, your workplace behavior. Keep in mind that social norms change over time. What is not necessarily controversial today may be problematic tomorrow, so avoid taking unnecessary risks.

Example: You engage in a heated political debate on your Facebook page, expressing extreme viewpoints. This may alienate potential business connections who prefer a more neutral and inclusive work environment.

Tip: While freedom of expression is important, be mindful of the potential impact on your professional image. If you need to share opinions on sensitive topics, do so with respect and an awareness of differing perspectives, and make sure your privacy settings allow only friends to see anything that might be professionally problematic.

4. Compromise confidentiality

Trust is paramount in professional relationships, and breaching confidentiality online can be a significant red flag for employers and could negatively impact your business. Refrain from sharing privileged information or complaining about policies, processes, challenges, or changes in the workplace at current or past employers, as this reflects a lack of discretion.

Example: You vent about a confidential project on Facebook or TikTok, inadvertently revealing details that should remain within the confines of your workplace.

Tip: If you need to discuss work-related challenges, do so in a private setting, offline. On your social media accounts, maintain a balance between being authentic about your experiences and respecting the trust your employers or employees place in you.

5. Expose personal information

In an era of rising cybersecurity threats, safeguarding personal information is more critical than ever. Avoid sharing personally identifying information on your social media profiles that could be exploited by cybercriminals, such as your home address, phone number, sensitive work-related details, the street where you grew up, or other common answers to security questions. Cybercriminals can exploit these things to test potential passwords and gain access to your online personal and professional accounts.

Example: You share a photo of a new credit card or driver’s license on Instagram, not realizing the information is visible. This can lead to potential identity theft.

Tip: Scrutinize every post for unintentional exposure of personal information. Review your privacy settings regularly, and be cautious about the information you share, even seemingly innocuous details like your pet's name or favorite vacation spot.

Interested in cybersecurity? Learn more in Phishing Vigilance: What Your Employees Must Know to Identify and Stop Attacks and 9 Cybersecurity Tips You Can Implement Now.

Enjoy social media… responsibly

Your personal social accounts are powerful tools for building and maintaining your professional image. By avoiding these five practices, you can ensure that your online presence aligns with your career aspirations and presents you as a competent, responsible, and trustworthy professional. Even if you delete a post, it may still be archived. Remember, the social world reflects your real-world identity; use it wisely to showcase your best self.

Interested in this topic? Learn more about it in 5 Things You Should Never Do With Business Social Accounts.