Status Update: What’s up, new hires? Here are five tips to avoid getting fired.

By: Jorie Scholnik

Every semester when I teach Life and Career Development at Santa Fe College, I always make sure to devote at least two class meetings to social networking. One lesson revolves around using Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for networking and enhancing the job search process. The other lesson covers professional tips like being aware of privacy settings and social networking tips for your first six months at a job. I always start off this lesson by asking, “Can anyone give me famous examples of someone being reprimanded or fired because of something he/she did or said on a social networking site?” Someone inevitably shouts out, “Anthony Weiner!” followed by some giggles and snickers. My students can generally provide me with several more celebrity cases with little thought.

What usually happens next is that one student will be brave enough to disclose that he or she was actually the one fired because of a Facebook status update, tweet or racy photo. Once the first person shares their personal experience, others quickly join in. I’ve listened to students talk about getting terminated because they wrote that their special training was pointless, they posted a picture of them drinking underage, they lied about why they couldn’t come to work, etc.

Ladies and gentlemen, getting fired because of social networking blunders is happening and here to stay! Therefore, I recommend these five social networking tips for new hires, and really for anyone who would like to keep their job:

1. Don’t initiate sending a friend request to your boss. It may make your boss uncomfortable and it may signal that you aren’t conscious of your boundaries.
2. It is okay to decline a friend request from a boss or co-worker. Send a personal message to acknowledge the request and state that you are happy that he/she wants to connect via social networking, but you only use Facebook for your closest friends and family members. Instead, consider offering to go to lunch during the work day to catch up.
3. Negative comments won’t get you anywhere. If you are bored at work, hate your boss or don’t agree with the latest policy changes, don’t even consider posting it. Use the appropriate means of providing constructive feedback at your office instead.
4. If you are angry, wait at least 24 hours before posting a status update or tweet. Once you’ve had time to digest why you are angry, you will state your thoughts in a more professional manner and realize that social networking may not be the best avenue to express yourself in the situation.
5. Verbalize how you are using Facebook and Twitter for professional purposes while at work. This will prevent your boss from thinking that you are just using the sites for fun, wasting time or not taking initiative.

Jorie Scholnik has been employed as an associate at The Protocol School of Palm Beach, Inc. under Jacqueline Whitmore for the past five years where she writes guest blog posts on www.jacquelinewhitmore.com and works with university students on polishing their business etiquette skills. Jorie Scholnik is also currently working as an assistant professor within Student Development Instruction at Santa Fe College. Prior to working at Santa Fe College, Jorie Scholnik worked as a career counselor and Job Search Strategies instructor at the University of Florida’s Career Resource Center. Jorie Scholnik earned a master’s degree in marriage and family counseling and a specialist degree in education from the University of Florida in May 2010. Her Facebook page is strictly for close friends and family, but you can follow her on Twitter @JorieScholnik.

Thank you Jorie, for taking the time to share your expert opinion regarding social media. I do appreciate your generosity.