Image via Complex Original
Like it or not, social media can be a dealbreaker when it comes to getting or keeping a job. At this point, it's become commonplace to see your friends change their name on Facebook so that prospective employers won't be able to find their profile. It's understandable. Who doesn't have a few photos from college that they wish they could get rid of? Here's the thing though: you're not necessarily in the clear even if you do end up getting hired. It doesn't mean that you can suddenly go back to your old, regrettable ways on Facebook just because you finally got that job you've been waiting for. So you know what you need to avoid doing, here are 12 Ways Facebook Will Get You Fired From Your New Job. Make sure you stay in the clear of these, but most of all, just make sure you've got your privacy settings on. Be smart, guys.
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You wrote a status complaining about your job.
Look, work isn't always easy, but at the end of the day, it's always better than being unemployed. So think twice before you log onto Facebook and start talking about how horrible your job is, because if your employer happens to see it, then they might not have a problem giving your position away to someone who is a bit more appreciative. No one likes dealing with the daily 9-5 grind, but you have to pay the bills somehow, right?
You and another co-worker were getting too friendly over Facebook.
Office romance is often frowned upon, so make sure that you're familiar with your business or company's policies before you start getting flirty with the girl who works in the cubicle next to you. No one wants to see your thirst. It's desperate, and if you're just starting out, then you're going to be making a first impression that the rest of the office might not be too happy about. You're better off just taking a cold shower instead.
You posted about finding a new job, and your boss saw it.
So you're on the hunt for a bigger and better job, and you think you may have made a breakthrough. Congrats! You deserve it. However, until it's absolutely in the bag, try and keep quiet about it on your wall. Yeah, it's always nice to get some deserved Likes from your friends about moving up in the world, but if you haven't locked up that new position yet, and your boss sees that you're on your way out, then they might just push you out before you're ready.
Nudes.
Self-explanatory. We live in a world where an incriminating photo is just an upload and a tag away from being made way too public. Or maybe an angry ex decided to post some embarrassing photos of you in their final act of retribution. Whatever the case, make sure that their aren't questionable pics lurking around in any albums. Otherwise, you could be getting a pink slip on your desk a lot sooner than you expected.
You called in sick...but checked-in later that day at the beach.
There's nothing wrong with playing hooky every now and then. Sometimes, everyone just needs a break. But in this day and age, you need to make sure that you're smart about it. Don't leave a social media trail showing your boss the day you spent soaking in the sun with a beer in hand, when you were supposed to be laid up on your couch with a bottle of Theraflu. Instead, think of it as a day-off from everything. No need to get caught up on Twitter or Facebook or Instagram. Just turn off your phone and clear your mind.
You Liked or posted something about your company or boss' competitor.
When you join a company or business, you have to understand that if you decide to list them as your employer on your profile, then you're essentially a new arm of representation for them. As such, if you're working for McDonald's and it says that you Like Burger King on your Timeline, then it's very possible that your boss will want to have a chat with you about your allegiances. And definitely don't say anything about wanting to work for another company. Stay smart about your public preferences.
You posted something a little too controversial.
When it comes to race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other issue that can be argued about, you're almost always better off keeping your opinions to yourself on social media. Anything that can be construed as racist, insensitive, misogynist or otherwise is probably going to get you fired, and, honestly, if you're posting anything that can be interpreted that way, then you deserve to lose your job. Everyone has a right to free speech, but there are always limits on good taste.
Your co-workers or boss don't understand your sense of humor.
Understand that, though they're the two dominant dialects of the Internet right now, irony and sarcasm don't always come across on your Facebook. It's easy to lose the nuances of joke like that when you can't hear someone's tone, and when a new employer still doesn't know much about you, you're going to be put in a compromising position if yoou aren't careful about your humor. Or, worse yet, maybe you posted something from The Onion, and they didn't know it was a joke. A bad joke can fall flat in person, but rest assured that they can flop just as badly on the Internet too.
You're posting too much during work.
It's one thing to post about an article you read during your lunch break or on the subway on your way to work, but if you're flooding your boss' feed with status updates and Reddit articles, then don't be surprised if they want to have a word with you about your work habits. Yeah, it isn't always easy to be sitting in front of a computer all day. The Internet is full of distractions. But save them for your breaks or when you punch out. You aren't going to be making any friends in the office if you're wasting your time on Facebook chat all day. No one wants to work with a Facebook addict.
You posted a status criticizing your company's customers.
Remember, the customer is always right, even when they're wrong. And, they're still right even when they've left, and you're never going to see them again, and you post about them on Facebook. Yeah, it isn't easy, but it's true. If you start complaining about your customers or clients on Facebook and your boss happens to see it, then it's very possible that you may find yourself picking up an unemployment check before you know it. A company has a reputation to maintain when it comes to customer service, and if your whining is connected to their name, then you're asking for trouble.
You posted something about your boss, thinking that they wouldn't see.
This is almost always a guaranteed fatality. It's easy to get frustrated when you feel like your boss is breathing down your neck or being an asshole or whatever, but calling them out on Facebook is a no-no. Keep in mind that, no matter how annoyed with them you may get, these people are in charge of your job, and they won't be afraid to take it away from you when you cross them. You're digging your own grave if you decide to take your beef public.
Your boss saw photos of you getting too wild at the bar.
It's one thing to have a photo of yourself casually enjoying a drink with friends, but if you're caught taking body shots and creeping in the club, then your employer might start to wonder about who they just hired. If you're going to engage in that behavior, we suggest putting some serious privacy settings on your pics. Your boss doesn't need to think that they just let the next Jordan Belfort onto their team.
