“Frenemy” (alternately spelled “frienemy”) is a portmanteau of “friend” and “enemy” which can refer to either an enemy disguised as a friend or to a partner who is simultaneously a competitor and rival (www.wikipedia.org)
How true those words ring when referring to Social Media.
In this age of technology we live in, the access that public has to the staggering abundance of personal information is astounding (see earlier blog post: What’s in a Name? posted 6/14/10.)
Social Media is a term that has recently come into popularity with the advent of Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace. Little did Mark Zuckerberg realize the monster he was creating when coding the initial framework for Facebook at Harvard in the early 2000’s. At the forefront of the Social Media movement, Facebook has made your life available to the masses, and status updates have revolutionized how people can map your activities: what you ate for lunch, how you feel about the new Twilight movie (personally, I’m on team Edward), and even how you feel about your employer.
Wait. Back up a minute. Feel about your employer?
That’s right, kids.
I was on Facebook this morning and saw a status update from a friend of mine: Tired of the job, but I’m in a/c so it’s ok.
…ok. But it was the subsequent comments that were shocking. Someone commented on the post, and named names. And then, the kicker: said friend confirmed the workplace name.
Ouch.
While it might have been a great frustration release, it might not have been the brightest idea ever; particularly in this economy, and with such a competitive market. Now the fact that you’re tired of your job is public. Now your employer can see that. And find someone to replace you who isn’t quite so tired.
Everyone complains about their job, even those who love what they do. It’s the nature of work: it ain’t always easy. But by making public statements about the shortcomings of your gig, you’re putting yourself on the chopping block and putting your status at risk.
Now, by no means am I saying that you should roll over and just grin and bear an unbearable situation at the workplace. No, indeed. What I am saying, however, is that if you’re tired of your job, scootch-a-boot and start looking around quietly, and try and keep the kvetching to the kitchen table with family and friends that you trust, rather than launching those complaints into the blog-o-sphere with Facebook or Twitter.
On the flip side, social media could turn out to be your best friend when it comes to job hunting. LinkedIn, CareerBuilder, Monster, and yes, even Facebook, can help you land your next job. Recruiters love to check up on the latest and greatest resumes, and recruiters are a direct line to employers. I can’t even count how many candidates I’ve contacted off of those sites, and guess what? I’ve even been able to put some to work. All because they kept their availability and skill set updated and current.
So remember: if you’re going to use Social Media as a medium to communicate about employment, keep it positive! You never know who’s reading, and where the next great opportunity can come from.