Bianca Thompson, Author at The Voice of Job Seekers

I must admit that I am sometimes quite resistant by social profiles. I personally do not feel everyone, even employers, needs to know everything about me. Nor do I want to know everything about others. We all have opinionated demons that can be extreme to those that do not agree with us.

So what!

Such is life! This is what makes the world unique and interesting. We are not robots.

Some would argue that these technology avenues are good for recruiting because recruiters can use them to get to know their candidates. I totally disagree. Anyone can create an social profile that gives the viewer an image of a workplace angel…the perfect candidate…the right fit for the team.

To me, this makes social profiles unreliable. If someone uses their Twitter account to rant and rave about their passions that may not be common to the masses, does not mean that they will not be an excellent employee. Now, let us turn the table. Someone can have glowing online social profiles but their workplace ethic simply sucks.

My belief is that recruiters should not heavily rely on social profiles in recruiting decisions. It’s an unstable source as we as humans are sometimes unstable. Since I do not have the ultimate hiring power for the entire world, I, in addition to you, must consider the trends of our “social media crazed” society.

Having social profiles on the web becomes problematic when we do not consider our audience. Sure they can delete your friendship on Facebook or stop following you on Twitter but the audience is actually the ENTIRE world. Technology has taught us repeatedly that once something has been sent digitally, it is available forever and for ALL to view.

We must seriously consider all the messages that we send when we post on Facebook, Tweet, text or send e-mails. Our fascination with technology is great and has afforded us ways of connecting with others at a very cheap rate. No one ever really complains of having an outrageous long distance telephone bill these days. We can simply text, email, Tweet or Facebook our long distance friends and family.

Almost everyone desires to be an authentic being. We want to be true to ourselves. What happens when being true to ourselves is “politically incorrect”? Well, if you know this about yourself, you may want to monitor how you use technology and when you use technology. It may help to make an agreement with yourself such as never to use technology when you’re angry or intoxicated.

Another short 1-2-3 “punch to yourself in the face” is to 1) STOP, 2) consider the possibilities of how your social profiles may affect the entire world and 3) choose. You may still choose to proceed after these steps but at least you are conscious of what you are doing and aware of the possible negative impacts of your use of technology. Let us not be foolish to believe that it doesn’t matter or we won’t get caught.

Roland Martin

Mr. Martin had been with CNN since 2007. Last year he released a tweet that seems to have eventually cost him his position with CNN. Two days after his negative tweet regarding the gay community, he was suspended from CNN.

He also met with the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation organization after the tweet in an effort to repair the damage he caused. After last year’s Presidential election, Mr. Martin was seen less and less on CNN. April 6, 2013 was his last day with CNN. Coincident? NOT! I truly believe his tweet cost him his position with CNN. Had he punched himself in the face with my 1-2-3 suggestions above, he would probably still have his job at CNN.

Michael Nodianos

This is really sad. This young man was videotaped while expressing his very strong and probably inebriated opinions regarding the rape of a young girl. In the video, he joked about the rape and his comments were definitely politically incorrect. Mr. Nodianos was wearing an Ohio State University shirt during the video.

The video was deleted but hackers found a way to release it. It went viral. A Facebook campaign was launched to have Mr. Nodianos expelled and to have his academic scholarship revoked. He is no longer a student at Ohio State University.

His irresponsible use of technology has cost him his academic scholarship and education at Ohio State University. All that we do online socially is a part of our electronic profile regardless of whether that was the initial intention.

Richard Cebull

Mr. Cebull forwarded a racist joke. Does he have the right to be a racist? Yes, he does. Does he have the right to be a chief federal judge and known racist? No, he does not. Mr. Cebull’s action of forwarding a racist joke about President Obama was unacceptable and unlawful.

Mr. Cebull wrote a letter of apology to the President in addition to filing a complaint against himself. We must remember that what we distribute digitally to a few individuals potentially is seen by the masses.

The delicate dance of authenticity and political correctness is an absolute requirement regardless of your position in life. Technology connects us all and does it very quickly. If you Google your name, what do you see? More importantly is what do you want your potential employer to see? Being intentional with our use of technology is not an option. Our social profiles have capabilities to extend worldwide. Now that’s a large audience. Do you want applause or do you want to be “booed?”

How important is a social profile to you? Tell us what you think in the comments section.

About Bianca "Sassy HR Girl" Thompson

Bianca Michelle Thompson, Chicago native, has worked in the corporate arena within the Chicago Loop for over twenty-five years. The last thirteen years have been within the Human Resources profession. Her experiences within the Human Resources field and her personal life inspired her passion for training and coaching. Bianca has done extensive self-development, team-building and coaching coursework within the corporate and non-profit arenas and with Phoenix Arises Seminars.

Mail
More Posts(5)

What is not so Human about Human Resources?

Why in the world would you expect Human Resources to be “Human”? Are we not the super heroes of each company? We are in place to serve the best interest of everyone remotely involved with our company which includes a very lengthy list. Let us start with senior management, middle management that believes they are senior management, actual middle management, senior staff level employees, entry-level staff that believe they are senior level, actual entry level staff, interns, recruiters, vendors, clients and let us forever remember each and every one of our job seekers, our candidates for employment.

If you have not gathered by now, I am a bit Sassy. This comes straight from the hip of Sassy HR Girl. I do my best be a straight shooter while blogging. Why else do it, right? We each get our share of smoke blown ice cream castles with no lines, no waiting. So, let’s not have that mirage during blog time.

Now, back to the issue of Human Resources or shall we call it Human-less Resources? We are a special breed. We willingly took the bait to serve our fellow co-workers and whoever else that may be in need of our services…everyone. Most HR professionals really do love people and love the role of HR. Now we may not like every individual that we serve all the time. That’s right! I said it. We do not like everyone all the time. The HR smile is sometimes hiding the secret desire to flip someone off or masking the fact that we may have placed someone’s issue at the bottom of our “to do” list because they are somewhat of a “workplace turd”. Every company has one and sometimes several. You know who they are because their face is now plastered in your mind and you are possibly smiling, laughing or grunting right now at the thought of this “workplace turd”.

There are many mountains to move in HR which most of whom we serve, want the mountains moved precisely and quickly. Everyone’s issue is the most important issue to them and hence should be to HR. Super HR hero flying to the rescue of all that need us but wait Super HR hero forgot their cape today and there’s a run in their tights. Ughhhh! My effort to paint a quick picture of how Human Resources may not be so “Human” or actually quite the opposite, we are simply human.

We have great days. We have not-so-great days. I won’t say bad days because I was taught that I don’t have time for a bad day. I may have time for a bad moment or a minute but never a whole day.

So now you get the picture of the HR crazies. How can this help you in your job search? Let’s start with a focus on Don Miguel Ruiz, The Four Agreements. 1) Be impeccable with your word; 2) Don’t take anything personally ; 3) Don’t make assumptions; and 4) Always do your best. Listed below are four of Mr. Ruiz agreement cards that I would like you to ponder. While pondering, remember the HR crazies and all that is expected of your potential new HR team.

1. Be Impeccable with Your Word—Let go of self-judgment and blame. Being impeccable, you take responsibility for your actions, but you do not judge or blame yourself for anything. Your need or desire for a job is simply that…a need or desire. Be mindful of the words you speak to others and yourself regarding your search for employment. Your words matter.

2. Don’t Take Anything Personally—Ignore the opinions of others. Whatever people do, feel, think or say, don’t take it personally. Others are going to have their own opinion according to their belief system, so whatever they think about you is not about you, but is about them. If it were up to HR professionals, we would ensure that everyone is employed. I have never met an HR professional that likes to tell job seekers “No.” This is why we sometimes drag our feet with a delivery of these type of calls. Is it right to drag our feet? No, but it is human. No simply means no. It truly is not personal. It is business. It’s a very competitive job seeker market and employers really do have an upper hand sometimes. Let your attitude of self-worth shine ever more.

3. Don’t Make Assumptions—Ask for what you want. Find the courage to ask for what you want. Others have the right to tell you yes or no, but you always have the right to ask. Likewise, everybody has the right to ask you for what they want, and you have the right to say yes or no. Kill all assumptions. There are so many things happening with companies that sometimes require a constant shift of processing or of people. It is always okay to ask questions. How else will you truly know? You may like the answer or you may not. Take on the spirit of the Courageous Lion from the Wizard of Oz and simply ask instead or tormenting yourself with assumptions that you later believe as truth.

4. Always Do Your Best—Your best is changing all the time. Your best will depend on whether you are refreshed in the morning or tired at night. Your best will be different when you are happy as opposed to upset, or healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstances, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret. Your best is always good enough. Each interview is different. No two are the exact same. Maybe similar but never the same. You may shine one day. You may glisten the next day. We are never the same. Each day brings a different element and hence a different you.

Sassy HR Girl

About Bianca "Sassy HR Girl" Thompson

Mail
More Posts(5)