When I first started getting tattoos at the ripe age of 15, my mother was pissed. She always used to say “ Well who’s going to hire you, like that?” My response was always the same “ If they won’t hire me because of my tattoos then it’s clearly not someplace I want to work…” I responded the same way every time, and it applies to more than just my body art. Nowadays, there are all these rules and best practices about how to conduct yourself on the internet.
Back when I was in high school/college and Facebook was relatively new, there were loads of rules on what to NOT post on your profile so you could project a “young professional” so that job recruiters and potential employers won’t essentially judge you on what you did on your off time. So no party photos, no photos with alcohol, show off your community work, blah blah blah. Out of the 243 profile photos I uploaded to Facebook starting in 2006, 53 of them have alcohol, cigarettes, or display some type of partying. These were some of my favorite profile photos ever (on Facebook).
So clearly I didn’t follow those rules, and I still don’t. I am the same person IRL as I am on the URL (the internet). My LinkedIn profile is a selfie, and I’m throwing up the peace sign. Should I have some professional headshot? Maybe. But is that me? Nope, not one bit. Am I being judged or passed on by recruiters or potential job opportunities? Maybe. But am I still successful? Yes, I am.
So why do people continue to sacrifice their true selves to “fit in”. People started creating multiple accounts so they could post about whatever they want and not be judged or penalized for their posts. IMO things have changed since the time when our parents got jobs.
Now what about content posted? What about twitter? How many people lose their jobs over twitter? Too many to count at this point. It’s 2018. The internet knows everything. You can’t hide. Once it’s there, it’s there forever. Especially if you’re popular, or in the public eye. People are watching and essentially waiting for someone to say something fucked up or offensive. [Which brings up an additional point, slightly off topic, but still relevant. Why the FUCK is everyone offended by everything these days?]
So why do people continue to sacrifice their true selves to “fit in”. People started creating multiple accounts so they could post about whatever they want and not be judged or penalized for their posts.
