What Does Your Social Networking Photo Say About You?

How cool, you’re on several social networks now.  Everyone knows what you’re thinking.  You’ve posted photos about your pet and your trip to the cottage.  Your list of “friends” keeps growing.  You’re really on your way. 

Hey you even managed to upload a photo of yourself shot with your friend’s cell phone.  Ok, Ok, so some alcohol was involved in the photo – but hey what difference does it make?  Your friends will like that photo over the one of you in a sport shirt, which has nice composition.

 Let’s explore this scenario; You’ve been working real hard at your job.  The raises have been steady.  Co-workers even come to you for your expertise.  Your supervisor often gives you the better jobs/assignments.  Everything seems to be on a roll.  Hey you’re even up for a promotion.

 Now let’s rewind this scenario a little.  Remember the night at the party your friend shot that profile picture?  You know the one where alcohol was involved.  That’s the same night you made a small pass at your best friend’s girl friend – just a little innocent thing – Right?  Well maybe your friend didn’t think it was so innocent.

 Now that you’re up for a promotion, a copy of that profile photo winds up in your Vice President’s email “in-box”.   Oh by the way the VP is a woman and she was in an abusive relationship with an alcoholic, but you don’t know that.  Now she’s looking at your profile picture and she makes the final decision regarding your promotion.  What do you think might be going through her head at this point?  What about that promotion?

 Which profile photo would you prefer your VP see?  The one with some thought about clothing and composition or the picture of you from your friend’s cell phone?  Even if you change the photo the damage is done.  Can you change that – probably not?  Oh to be a fly on the wall during that interview!