Your Online History and Your Career

By Richard Martorello, SMC Member

A recent article in Baseline Magazine revealed a Microsoft survey of more than 5,000 people saying we are not dealing very well with reality. To clarify, the reality of what is posted online.

It may not be pretty but our online reputation precedes us. We post online. Our friends post online. What is the connection? The connection is social media pages.

55% of the adult respondents claimed they were concerned about their online reputation. However, 30% of the respondents felt they had little or no control over their online reputation.

Meanwhile, 38% of the respondents do say they think about the impact of their online actions on others including social network friends. Posting information online that has damaged relationships or harmed others was done by 12% of those surveyed. Negatively impacted by online activities by others on social media and other outlets have made 14% guilty by association.

What are some of the results of these social behaviors? Three negative consequences were reported by the respondents.

1. Getting fired (21%),
2. Getting turned down for a job (16%), and
3. Getting turned down for a mortgage (15%).

What is posted on social media pages can impact our personal image and professional career.

“Your online reputation is shaped by your interactions in the online world and spans the disparate and varied data about you, whether created and posted by you or others,” says Brendon Lynch, chief privacy officer at Microsoft. “This information can have a lasting presence online, and can affect your life in many ways — from maintaining friendships to helping you keep or land a new job.”

It is said what happens in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas. And maybe we should remember this piece of social media wisdom:

Say it. Forget it. Write it. Regret it.

Learn more about how social media may work for you at Merced College and its new Social Media Club.

References:
– “Your Online History Jeopardizes Your Career”, Dennis McCafferty, Baseline Magazine,
http://www.baselinemag.com/c/a/Careers/Your-Online-History-Jeopardizes-Your-Career-479983/?kc=BLBLBEMNL03072012STR3

The views and opinions expressed here are not those of Merced College

Your Reputation May Precede You

By Richard Martorello, SMC Member

A recent article in Baseline Magazine revealed a Microsoft survey of more than 5,000 people saying we are not dealing very well with reality.  To clarify, the reality of what is posted online.

It may not be pretty but our online reputation precedes us.  We post online.  Our friends post online.  What is the connection?  The connection is social media pages.

What is posted on social media pages can impact our personal image and professional career.

“Your online reputation is shaped by your interactions in the online world and spans the disparate and varied data about you, whether created and posted by you or others,” says Brendon Lynch, chief privacy officer at Microsoft.  “This information can have a lasting presence online, and can affect your life in many ways — from maintaining friendships to helping you keep or land a new job.”

Below are some of the Microsoft survey results reported.

1. 55% of adult respondents say their online reputation concerns them.
2. 49% of respondents do not use social media sites’ privacy settings.
3. 44% surveyed have said they actively thought about their online activities and the long-term consequences.
4. 37% of respondents have rarely or never used a search engine to find out how their name is trending.
5. 17% of respondents revealed sharing private information online unintentionally.

It may not be directly stated by the the survey, but one should think about what is posted online.  If your posting is meant to be private, please make sure your social media application’s privacy settings are properly set.  If you are uncertain, review the application’s online help

Dennis McCafferty, the article’s author, writes “Ultimately, though, your chances for success depend on getting proactive.”

Learn more about how social media may work for you at Merced College and its new Social Media Club.

References:
– “Your Online History Jeopardizes Your Career”, Dennis McCafferty, Baseline Magazine,
http://www.baselinemag.com/c/a/Careers/Your-Online-History-Jeopardizes-Your-Career-479983/?kc=BLBLBEMNL03072012STR3

The views and opinions expressed here are not those of Merced College

FYI, DBEYR. YWIA.

By Richard Martorello, SMC Member

(For Your Information, Don’t Believe Everything You Read. You’re Welcome In Advance.)

Huh?

The cryptic looking code you see above is known as Texting. A text message is the act of typing and sending a brief, electronic message via a wireless network to another person. These short messages, usually less than 160 characters, can be viewed by another person on a mobile or handheld device such as a Blackberry, a cell phone, a PDA or a pager.

There is an increased use of using acronyms, chat acronyms, shorthand and smileys in text messages by more and more people as the screens on many mobile devices are rather small. What can now be called text message shorthand is now appearing in instant messaging (IM), newsgroup postings, chat rooms, blogs, and in electronic mail.

Wikipedia explains “text messages can be used to interact with automated systems such as ordering products and services for mobile phones or participating in contests. Advertisers and service providers use direct text marketing to notify mobile phone users about promotions, payment due dates and other notifications that can usually be sent by post, e-mail or voicemail.”

As social media evolves with users, communication follows course with respect to how we used the medium. Initially, language presented and viewed to the non-user of the medium will find it difficult to understand the message sent. Over time, rules of etiquette are established and standardize for all to learn. This in turn makes it easier for the non-user to be able to participate in the medium experience. Meanwhile, the experience user is able to refine their skills and more effectively present their message.

Texting is a part of the social media experience. There are also blogs, vlogs (video blog), social networks, and social photo and video sharing sites. Let us not forget electronic mail and websites.

Learn more about how social media may work for you at Merced College and its new Social Media Club.

References:
The Fine Print: References and Disclaimer (see above)
– “The List of Chat Acronyms & Text Message Shorthand”, Netlingo.com, http://www.netlingo.com/acronyms.php
– “Text messaging”, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Text_messaging

The views and opinions expressed here are not those of Merced College