Running Head: The Power Of Social Media

The Power Of Social Media

Chelsea Williams
CIS 110-006
(Fall 2015)

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Abstract
Social media has a strong, long lasting affect on our generation. As a whole, social
medias negative power has been tampering our professional image. A persons profile
from top to bottom matters. Everything from what they post to how they post it, will be
seen by many others and can either hurt or help them. Its time to be aware of the ways
media can negatively affect a persons future, so we can make sure we dont give,
specifically, social media that power.

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The Power Of Social Media
The world of media has expeditiously grown to new heights over the last fifty
years. Every piece of information we need, alarmingly enough, is right at our fingertips.
Many people across America dont realize that anyone can get ahold of this information
and once that insta picture or that tweet is up it doesnt go away. The image that
millennials, and even grown adults, are openly portraying on social media is the most
influential factor of the negative stereotype associated with the generation and
increasingly lowers their assumed caliber in professional fields.
The big, white block letters, surrounded by an almost dingy shade of blue has
made its way into the everyday lives of millions over the past couple of years. Emil
Protalinski (2014), a journalist from TNW News, told us The number of monthly active
mobile users hit 945 million. Daily active users (DAUs) were 757 million on average for
December 2013, an increase of 22% year-over-year. Statistically shown, Facebook has
reached heights that none of their other competitors have ever been able to. As off August
2015 Facebook was the first social media website to go above 1 billion registered
accounts. According to The Statistical Portal, Facebook not only doubled its competitors,
Twitter and Instagram, but almost has tripled their activeness. With all of that being said,
each active user has a profile, in which they can be whoever they want to be. What this
generation is missing is that what you are putting up on Facebook profiles can be
searched and seen by billions, and in that billion might be your boss. Kimberly Swann is
an indisputable example of the power social media has over teens and young adults. She
was a previous employee for Ivell Marketing and Logistics of Clacton. After a taxing day

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at work she did exactly what millions of other people do, sit on the couch and scroll down
her newsfeed. She spotted a relatable article in The Daily Telegraph on Facebook and
reported that her job was boring. This is the problem. We do things online thinking that
no one will ever see them, and use it as a place to vent. That assumption couldnt be any
more wrong. Later that week she was called into her managers office and was handed a
letter that read, Following your comments made on Facebook about your job and the
company we feel it is better that, as you are not happy and do not enjoy your work we
end your employment with Ivell Marketing & Logistics with immediate effect (Rachel
Zupek, 2009).
Jacob Davidson (2014), a journalist from Time, stated Data shows 93% of hiring
managers will review a candidates social profile before making a hiring decision. Today
so many managers are looking online for their next spot to be filled, but if the candidates
pictures and what they post arent bad, what then could still be the problem? Again, Jacob
Davidson (2014) answers that question by reporting 66% of hiring managers said they
would hold poor spelling and grammar against candidates. So now not only does
someones visual appearance matter and what they post, its how they post it. How you
portray your relative level of education and grammar does matter. People need to learn
that the fast-hand texting language needs to stay between them and their friends
conversations, not online for all to see. This makes sense if you stop and think about it,
but sadly many have not thought that out. Its safe to say if a person cannot take the time
to edit their own writing, which is a representation of them, why would a company want
to risk hiring that person, potentially presenting a poor image of

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themselves to other companies. Another reason for this could be that the company is
seeing how well that person goes back and checks his or hers work. Someone who takes
the time to edit their own work shows responsibility and maturity in their writing. It
shows the characteristic of being patient and going the extra mile, both things bosses
want in their employees.
Another example of social media affecting you would be how you use it
emotionally. Sadly, its normal now to vent every feeling and emotion online. Its almost
immediate satisfaction if you type it out. You feel like you have gotten it off your chest,
which you have, but now you have told the rest of the world how you really feel about a
situation. How you show yourself emotionally on social media matters as well. This
happens a lot when politics are brought up, when a bad break up goes down, or when
differences in religion occur. People are so quick to post how they feel, they dont think
of whom they could potentially be defending. It also shows how someone carries
themselves in times of diversity. Dave Meadows (n.d.) When stressed, many people fall
back on what theyre used to. And if youre used to exaggerating on social media, you
may not realize the extent to which this language bleeds onto your application, which can
make you unlikableor worse. Companies are not always perfect and smooth sailing.
They look for someone who will represent them well in the good times and in the hard
times. They need someone steady and emotionally stable.
Yes, social media can have a lot of negative effects, but it can help you a lot more
if you let it. What people arent taking advantage of is that, if something like social media
has such a strong impact on your future let it help not hurt you. Put your best self

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forward. Bosses look for people who are involved with things that are
helping them get where they want to be. It is so easy to update all your followers with
dinner dates and traveling around the world, but make your profile more diverse. Show
the work you are doing behind the scenes that is ultimately helping you with your future
profession.

According to Dan Schawbel (2012). Four out of five recruiters

liked to see memberships and affiliations with professional organizations on a candidates

profile, and another 66% react positively when a profile mentions volunteerism efforts.
Bosses like to see their future employees involved. They also like the skill of time
management. They want to be able to feel like you will give their job position the time it
needs and deserves.
Erik Qualman once said, We dont have a choice on whether we do social
media, the question is how we do it. Social media doesnt have to have a bad
connotation to it. It is growing expeditiously and its our job to keep a hand on it. Jeff
Antaya said, Social media is like a snowball rolling down the hill. Its picking up speed.
Five years from now, its going to be the standard. Social media has the power to
basically put ones life on a platform. Once tweets, reposts, and statuses are posted they
are up for all eyes to see. Bosses are on the lookout now more than ever. Post and live
through social media responsibly.

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References
Antaya, J. (2015, June 12). SmartQuote of the Day. Retrieved October 14, 2015.
Davidson, J. (2014, October 17). Survey of Recruiters Reveals the 7 Social Media
Mistakes Most Likely to Cost You a Job. Retrieved October 14, 2015.
Meadows, D. (n.d.). Social Media Is Ruining Your Chances of Getting a Job, But Not in
the Way You Think. Retrieved October 14, 2015.
Protalinski, E. (2014, January 29). Facebook Passes 1.23 Billion Monthly Active Users.
Retrieved October 12, 2015.
Schawbel, D. (2012, July 9). How Recruiters Use Social Networks to Make Hiring
Decisions Now | TIME.com. Retrieved October 14, 2015.
Zupek, R. (2009, August 24). How Social Media Can Hurt Your Career. Retrieved
October 14, 2015.