Your Digital Footprint: How Social Media Can Impact Your Career

One thing that our generation has uniquely grown up with is internet and access to a multitude of social media platforms. While there are definitely benefits to social media (and I personally use it all the time), I think we’d be lying to ourselves if we said that what we post on social media doesn’t stay with us (potentially forever). Every time you post on a social media platform, whether it’s a photo, comment on someone else’s content, status update, etc.., your reputation is on the line. And in the age of screenshots and digital footprints, anything you post or comment (or are tagged in) can live forever online. Think about that.

Are you the same person on social media that you are in real life? Do you use social media to lift others up, or do you hide behind the screen and use it as an opportunity to bully or pretend to be something you’re not? Do you show a side of yourself that you're not proud of? Do you pick fights with random people with different ideologies than you?

Back when I was in a sorority in college, there was one day a year where all of the sorority sisters would cyber stalk each other and comment on old embarrassing posts of each other to get the algorithm to show the old photos again in people’s feeds. At the time, it was hilarious to laugh at everyone’s old posts and embarrass each other. But the idea behind it is actually a great illustration of my point- that a lot of things stay on the internet forever. If you were cyber stalked to this level today, would you be proud of what came up? Would you be embarrassed or ashamed?

You’re probably not the same person that you were 10 years ago when you joined social media. But the difference between now and 10 years ago when you were relatively carefree, is that now it's time to find a career. And TRUST ME- your future employers are DEFINITELY stalking your social media accounts to get a feel for what kind of person you are. Sometimes your first impression happens before you even walk in the door for your interview. That's why it's so important to pay attention to what you post, and what is public online.

One of the simplest ways to protect your online presence is to slow down before you post. Social media has a way of tempting us to share when emotions are running high—when we’re angry, hurt, defensive, or even just having an off day. In those moments, it’s worth pausing and asking whether this is something you’ll still feel good about later. If you’re unsure, that hesitation is usually your answer. You don’t need to post everything you think or feel in real time, and you’re always allowed to share less. Choosing restraint doesn’t mean you’re hiding—it means you’re being intentional about what you put into the world and how you want to be seen.

A simple guideline I follow is being intentional about how I use each social media platform.

The most professional platform that I use is LinkedIn. Here, I post career updates and any professional posts and accolades. I connect with all my friends, family, colleagues, fellow graduates, people in my industry, and more. I only comment words of encouragement and well wishes on other peoples' posts. I DO NOT post about politics, my personal life, or things that aren't related to my career on this platform.

I use Facebook as a way to keep up on what friends and family are up to, and to post the occasional update on my life. I keep it professional enough so that I can have work colleagues as friends and not have to hide any of my content, and also so if a future employer stalked my page they wouldn't find anything questionable. I comment only positive things on others' posts and I am conscious about the things that I share on my feed and the accounts I am sharing from.

Instagram is my most private social media account. I have a personal one and a business one. My personal one is private, so that anyone who searches me can only see my profile pic, and I require a follow request before anyone can follow me. I reserve instagram for a smaller circle of people- friends and only the colleagues I am closest with (not my boss and everyone else in the office). Instagram is where I show off more of my personality and what I'm up to. Here, I am a little more casual and humorous in my comments. My professional account is public and very professional. I share very little of my personal life on there. I personally find a lot of benefit from keeping both a professional and a personal instagram account.

I recommend that you take some time to decide which social media platforms you use and what you will use each for. Take time to decide your level of privacy and personal rules for each. Not every app was made the same, so it only makes sense that you treat each platform differently.

If you are looking for a job in your career field, I HIGHLY suggest you do a deep dive of your own social media accounts and assess what you will be using each of your accounts for. Delete old photos of you partying in college, make your accounts private, delete old negative comments, and be conscious of what you post going forward. Do it like your career depends on it- because it does!

Social media can be a powerful tool when used intentionally. The goal isn’t to be perfect online—it’s to be mindful, aligned, and proud of the version of yourself that lives there.

Have any other social media tips that you use? Drop them below!

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Cheers,

Alexandria