What are your online profiles telling the world about your administrative personal brand? Is it professional? Does is reflect your authentic, personable self? Is it consistent from site to site? For Administrative Professionals who are venturing into the world of social networking, this topic is even more relevant as you begin to build your online profiles and begin interacting in the online social scene. What current employers, potential employers, or colleagues in your profession think of when they hear your name or see your profile is part of your personal brand. Here are some things to think about as you continue developing your indispensable administrative brand in the online social networking scene.

IT’S NOT JUST PERSONAL, IT’S ALSO BUSINESS!

I recently posted a question to one of my groups on LinkedIn and asked: Are you on Facebook – if so, for personal use or professional purposes? I was curious as social networking (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn) becomes more and more a part of corporate strategy for some companies, how many administrative professionals have a Facebook page, what their primary purpose was for having one, and if their companies promoted it. The responses weren’t shocking, but there was a common thread between most of them: “I use Facebook for personal, and LinkedIn for professional.” A few added that they were starting to notice some crossover between the two, however. And thus enters the real challenge of social networking – can you keep personal separate from professional in the social networking world? Answer: NO!

I CAN LEARN A LOT ABOUT YOU WITHOUT BEING YOUR “FRIEND”

We cannot control how people choose to use their social networking sites, and we cannot control the content, photos, or information they post. So while I may use Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn for promoting my business or pursuing a new career opportunity, the next user may be using them for completely different reasons. However, if we’re “friends” or “connections” on many of these sites, we can see and view the information listed on other people’s profiles without being directly connected to them because we have a profile on that social networking site. This means I can lurk behind the scenes learning things about you whether you want me to or not. I may be your boss, your co-worker, an H.R. recruiter, or a potential business contact for you or your company. What will I learn about you? How will it potentially affect your next raise, promotion, or job interview? How will it impact my overall impression of your personal brand?

MONITOR YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE REGULARLY

How often do you Google your name to see what’s out there about you? How often do you visit your Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn pages to see what’s being said about you? Depending on your online presence, I recommend monitoring these sites daily and/or weekly. But do it regularly. This is the best way to control some of the information that appears about you that you may not realize is out there. If you find something you don’t like, delete it immediately from the site, ask the person who posted it to delete it, or contact the site administrator if you need additional help.

In a recent workshop I attended, one of the attendees didn’t think a picture of them could be found on the Internet. Within 10 minutes of searching, the workshop leader had found one. The person was shocked. Your brand at the office may be very different from your brand at home with friends and family on the weekend – and that’s o.k. But in the social networking world, you can’t expect to keep these two worlds completely separate. If there are things you enjoy doing on the weekends that could potentially detract from your professional presence online – DON’T POST IT ANYWHERE! Make sure your family and friends understand this also! Once it’s online, you can’t hide it or completely delete it ever again.

Another important element – if you have a name very similar to someone else who has a “wild” online presence, you need to know this. If you are applying for a job and the potential employer does a search on your name. You want to know what they’re going to see so you can direct them to the appropriate version of you NOT the person with the criminal history or legal issues in the news.

EXHIBIT GOOD JUDGMENT

Some may think a few pictures of you “partying” with friends is normal or acceptable – after all,
“everybody’s doing it” (and posting them). But if I’m an employer who is hiring for a position that requires the person to be able to make sound judgments and good business decisions, seeing these photos online may indicate to me that you lack some of the judgment skills I’m looking for. How will you behave with clients or business associates? How will that reflect on my company’s image and brand? These things matter to employers.

So how do you enjoy the fun elements of social networking yet keep it professional?

1. Be positive. Don’t bad mouth people or past employers. There’s enough negativity in our world, say something positive, productive, or thought provoking…or don’t say anything at all.
2. Use appropriate language. Don’t cuss and swear on your social networking sites. This NEVER impresses anyone. It doesn’t add ANY credibility to what you’re saying! (I don’t recommend doing it in person around the office either – but that’s another post for another day.)
3. THINK BEFORE YOU POST! It’s easy to get caught up in the moment when you’re on a social networking site. You just want to reply quickly or post a response or get your thoughts out there. But pause for a moment and THINK about how this information may be used later. If it’s online, it’s discoverable in the legal world, and that’s something to consider.
4. Ask questions or solicit advice for challenges you may be facing. Make social networking something that continues to build and enhance your overall value and influence as an Administrative Professional in your position. Join groups. Get involved in conversations. Use it as a career and credibility building opportunity.
5. Share interesting things you’ve read or helpful tips you’ve discovered.
6. Think about your first impressions of others when you visit their sites and take note of what impressed you (or didn’t). Then apply what you learn to how you continue to build your own online profiles.
7. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you! Don’t post crazy photos or write outlandish things on your “friends’ walls” if you don’t want them to return the favor.

The online social networking scene continues to evolve. If you’re participating in any way, you must monitor your online presence just like you do your checking book balance. It can change daily. If you choose to be online, you must be actively involved to keep your indispensable administrative brand intact.

To your administrative success!

Julie Perrine CPS/CAP
Certified Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Administrator
http://www.julieperrine.com/