The Importance of Your Online Presence
Most of us go online many times a day. We scroll through social media accounts, news sites and emails from the moment our eyes open. Our internet usage continues to climb through the day. We log on for school or work, post to TikTok and send Instagram Reels to our friends. As we fall asleep at night, we stream Hulu or Netflix and aimlessly browse social feeds on our phones. And yes, it happens all over again tomorrow.
While not all our time online may be productive, having an online presence carries some benefits, like getting school assignments or other work done, keeping up with friends and family and being in the know on current affairs. But, as the saying goes, with great power comes great responsibility.
For example, if you apply for a job, there’s a good chance the internet is one of the first places an employer will look to learn more about you. This includes browsing through your social media accounts or other online platforms you may use. Because of this, you need to make sure your online presence would not deter a potential employer from hiring you. Keep the following tips in mind as you engage in online activity.
Be Yourself, But Maintain Professionalism
One of the best parts of social media is having an outlet to express yourself. But you have to walk a fine line. While it may be tempting to use the internet as a journal or a place to air your grievances, you should be careful about oversharing. Even though you want to tell the world about an argument you had with a sibling, it’s best to keep personal affairs to yourself.
Another aspect to consider is your grammar and language. No, it doesn’t have to be perfect. But it doesn’t hurt to avoid inappropriate language and use your best judgment in how you word your content.
Think Before You Post
The comments on social media have truly gotten out of hand. Bullying is all too common on the internet. Make sure you aren’t contributing to that negativity!
It can be hard to resist engaging with someone who left a negative comment or posted about a topic you disagree with, but trust us: It’s not worth it. Next time you want to post something that may not be looked at in a positive light, pause and consider how a potential future employer would feel if they stumbled upon it.
Lean Into the Positives
The internet and social media are great hubs for connecting and networking. Don’t be shy about sharing a project you recently finished or discussing an accomplishment that made you proud. Networking is a valuable tool for reaching your goals and creating amazing opportunities for school, work and more.
As a teenager or young adult, you have many exciting life events ahead of you. You may be applying for your first job. Maybe you are filling out college or apprenticeship applications. Whatever life stage you are in, you have so much to look forward to, so be sure to take great care of your online presence. You never know who may see it!
