Roz revealed companies don't want to employ anyone who they think may go on to be problematic online-based on previous social media posts and comments (stock image)

A reputation management expert has revealed what not to post on social media in order to protect your career prospects, and what you should be posting instead.

Roz Sheldon, MD of British business reputation management firm Igniyte, reveals companies don’t want to employ anyone who they think may go on to be problematic online – based on previous social media posts and comments. 

You just have to look at the recent high-profile cases of Kanye West being dropped by Adidas for his antisemitic tweet and influencer Andrew Tate’s perceived online misogyny getting him booted off YouTube.  

She said: ‘Companies are nuanced by real people, who make human judgments. Organisations try to project an ideal of outward presentability, and uphold a culture on how people who work for them are expected to behave.

Roz revealed companies don't want to employ anyone who they think may go on to be problematic online-based on previous social media posts and comments (stock image)

Roz revealed companies don’t want to employ anyone who they think may go on to be problematic online-based on previous social media posts and comments (stock image)

‘It’s important because consumers form opinions about companies by what they see online – and this extends to what their employees behave like online. 

Research by Igniyte, which helps firms tackle negative online reputation issues, found 71% of UK businesses said social media posts are the most damaging content to affect their online image.

Reputation management expert Roz Sheldon (pictured) revealed what not to post on social media, why it could hamper your chances of getting a job, and what you should be posting instead

Reputation management expert Roz Sheldon (pictured) revealed what not to post on social media, why it could hamper your chances of getting a job, and what you should be posting instead

While 12% said they have experienced online reputational issues due to their employees’ conduct. Companies don’t want to be shown up online, or negatively represented by their staff. 

An increasing number of employers and recruitment agencies are acting on what they can see and find out about you online before offering you a job.

There are definitely some social media posts you should be wary of (or avoid) when considering their potential impact on your career.

You also need to think about how certain social media activity could hamper other people’s perception of you, or even damage your online reputation. 

There are types of posts that could get you fired or reprimanded too…

1. Posting about drunken escapades or risque content 

Even if companies don’t want to admit it, an increasing number of them scour for you online – LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter (especially Twitter) – before deciding whether to hire you.

They’re looking for off-colour remarks, ill-advised escapades, or maybe the signs you might just be a little bit of a troublemaker.

Risqué content such as having OnlyFans and promoting it on social media can also get you in hot water. A teacher was recently sacked for her OnlyFans account and her social posts around it.

Another thing to be careful of, is if you’re on sick leave (and may not actually be that ill), pause before posting pictures while out having fun or drinking on the days you were supposed to be sick.

This could affect any ongoing HR investigations or absent management processes you may be involved in.

2. Bad-mouthing your company (or boss)

This is the obvious stuff, but not everyone realises it. Absolutely avoid any online mention of disliking your company, manager, or colleagues.

And do not share anything that could show your employer in a bad light (or a light they won’t appreciate being shown in). Keep the moaning or behind-the-scenes information sharing to offline only.

A good example of what not to do (although in some ways it did come across as a form of noble whistleblowing) was the Greggs worker in January who uploaded some negative behind-the-scenes TikTok content about the London Greggs store she worked in wasting loads of food.

Perhaps it was well intentioned, but either way, companies do not like you sharing any contentious stuff about them and potentially damaging their brand.

Make sure if you’re filming or taking pictures of anything inside of your workplace, you know it’s not going to land you in hot bother. Unless you are in fact trying to do some whistleblowing like the Greggs worker and have already pre-empted a sacking.

3. Sharing your opinions about celebrities or ‘hot takes’ on burning issues  

The other painstaking obvious is (at least for career implications) – don’t post anything that could be perceived as racially motivated, sexist, homophobic, or transphobic posts and comments.

Whilst you are entitled to have your own views, companies may find your online ‘hot takes’ on a certain segment of the population, or find your scathing public views on a celebrity with a not-so-subtle undertone, and decide to avoid you like the plague.

Most companies don’t want to be associated anywhere near these things. It’s often best to debate these things offline than online.

It’s worth thinking to yourself – is my need to post this for whatever reason, going to be worth my livelihood?

4. Hitting back at people who annoy you 

It might be tempting to fire off a quick response online to a comment that’s bothered you – but it could mean you’re perceived as being abusive online, or even be seen as a cyber bully. You can slip into this, even if you think you’re being harmless.

Perhaps you get into football Twitter arguments with other fans and take it a little too far, perhaps you like to leave harsh comments on a celebrity’s appearance online, or maybe you make unnecessary negative posts about someone.

Even if you think you’re being light-hearted, if you are seen to overstep the mark (making personal remarks in the heat of the moment), companies may find out and deem you to be abusive online.

It might be tempting to fire off a quick response online to a comment that's bothered you - but it could mean you're perceived as being abusive online, or even be seen as a cyber bully. You can slip into this, even if you think you're being harmless (stock image)

It might be tempting to fire off a quick response online to a comment that’s bothered you – but it could mean you’re perceived as being abusive online, or even be seen as a cyber bully. You can slip into this, even if you think you’re being harmless (stock image)

5. Oversharing on LinkedIn

One thing companies are now looking at when recruiting, is the type of posts and attitudes people display on LinkedIn.

It’s all the rage to overshare on the networking site. Be that your personal political views, oversharing your mental health struggles, long-winded stories of dramatically resigning from a role, your latest selfless act in the local Starbucks, or having a dispute over leadership styles.

It’s fine to have an online personality – but other companies, potential future employers, or future clients, might be looking and making judgements about you and your over-the-top posts. It can go against you if you become one of those people who overshare on LinkedIn.

Always keep posts and comments on LinkedIn professional, friendly, and results based. Despite how bold you want to be – try to stay clear of any posts and comments that are of a controversial, political, over-the-top philosophical, or too-much-personal-information nature.

Your attempts of being a thought leader might have the adverse effect of people thinking you have a little too much to say for their liking.

You might even be posting something (especially if it was political) that offended someone or rubbed them up the wrong way because you wanted to ‘make a point’ – either when you posted it, or when they were looking you up.

Don’t turn into the ‘crying CEO’ of a marketing agency who made the headlines after uploading a video of himself while upset having just fired two members of staff.

People on LinkedIn felt he was looking for self-absorbed attention, not taking action to support his employees. One publication called him ‘a tone-deaf narcissist’.

It didn’t go down well – he got the completely wrong sort of attention on LinkedIn (for a quick attempt of being a thought leader) which could impact his future career moves.

Think before you post on LinkedIn. You should become respected for credibility, and helpful posts on LinkedIn, rather than giving into the hot takes, debates, and self-absorbed posts.

Also be careful not to become ‘cringe’ on LinkedIn – again future employers and potential clients might choose to avoid you – see cringy, aspirational posts on LinkedIn even celebrating the most mundane tasks.

Roz Sheldon is managing director of Igniyte, a specialist agency that helps businesses improve their online reputation and negative perceptions issues, igniyte.com

You May Also Like

Giants Star Facing Major Backlash After Trolling Colts, Jeff Saturday

Getty A New York Giants star received major backlash on Twitter after…

Reacher Season 2 Is Skipping A Whole Bunch Of Books

It’s only been a year since viewers were introduced to the former…

Mayor Pete Wants to Get Rid of Bad Dad Jokes on Electronic Highway Message Signs – HotAir

Those big electronic message boards along highways that convey a message with…

Steve Chaggaris Wiki, Bio, Age, Height, Net Worth, Ethnicity

Steve Chaggaris is well-known for his work as CBS News’ executive Washington…