How Social Media Can Shape Your Life and Career (Part 1)

Sometime in November 2019, I saw some wild pictures and videos of a certain “Ilorin Hangout” that went viral on social media. In the name of hanging out, people were hanging their future, so to speak. 

In one of those videos, guys were popping balloons directly on ladies’ behinds with their own privates in a provocative and suggestive manner. Some of those videos were only a few seconds long, but the impact may be lifelong because the internet never forgets. 

Your life should not be defined by a few seconds of irrationality or stupidity. Once it’s on social media, you can’t claim it’s your private life. That’s what many don’t understand. Many companies now conduct background checks, and at times, this includes a look through your social media profiles. 

A few seconds of impulsive posting can have a lifetime of impact. Think before you post. The internet never forgets. Share on X

I know a Nigerian company that conducts background checks on an intended spouse, and part of what they do is go through the social media profiles of the partner for a few years. 

Be careful what you post and tweet. Be careful what you retweet. A retweet means you’re in support. This is also true for likes. Be careful with the videos you share. Be careful what you laugh at.

The other day, I had to block a guy on X (formerly Twitter) for poking fun at a picture of a veiled woman who just got her PhD from a Federal University. I pointed out that his joke was offensive and insensitive, yet the guy went on.

Well, he earned the ignoble distinction of being the first person I blocked on X. Don’t slander people online or, like they say, ‘call people out’. This is especially important for people in paid employment; you don’t know if the person you’re calling out is a friend to your boss. 

The last time I submitted a US visa application, I was asked to submit my social media handles. Your social media is your personal media. It encapsulates who you are: your thoughts, your voice, your person. Your social media is you. Your tweet is you. Your tweet is a window to your mind. 

Some people have had their appointments reversed as a result of their social media footprint—it’s that serious. You may think social media  is make-belief, but it will reinforce perception, and perception is the new reality. You are what people think you are. 

Your social media timeline is a window into your mind. Make sure it's a view you want the world to see. Share on X

You can’t tweet in support of “Yahoo boys” and expect to be hired by a financial firm. You can’t get drunk; capture it on social media and expect a serious-minded company to hire you. Handle your emotions properly online. 

You don’t have to say exactly what you think every time. That’s called restraint or self-control. Some things are just not worth sharing or mentioning online. Know your boundaries. 

Be careful what you put as your profile picture. Your profile picture is often the first thing people see. What message does your profile picture convey?

Please stop forming woke on social media. Before you post or share, think deeply about the following: 

• Will I be proud of this post in five years?
• Does this represent my values?
• Will this affect the kind of brand I want to project?
• Will this affect my chances of securing an offer, a job opportunity, or a prospective benefit? Or even getting a spouse? 
• If my parents were on my timeline, would they be proud of my posts?
• Will my children be happy to see this in the future?
• Is this something I’ll be proud of my employer seeing?
• Are the pictures I’m sharing inappropriate or provocative?
• Does this slander anyone?
• Is this post well thought out?
• Is this post offensive?
• What do I have as my profile picture? What does this represent?

Remember: if it’s social, it’s no longer private.

What Next?

While your social media presence reflects who you are, so do the career choices you make. If you’re contemplating your next move, my post on prioritizing growth over pay offers practical insights to help you make the right choice. You can also get more actionable insights in my book, How to Stand Out and Get Hired. Click here to learn more about the book.