OMG! Are Companies On Social Networks? SMH!



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For the last several years, we have used social networks to connect with our long lost friends, current friends, significant others, and also to keep an eye out on our enemies ;). As time has evolved, we are now utilizing it for networking with companies. We can review ratings, read customer comments, follow them on Twitter and even like their Facebook page. However, we’re not the only people that can do a little “stalking” online.

According to a survey released by Jobvite, 92% of employers are using or planning to use social networks for recruiting this year.

Now don’t run off and cancel your Facebook page. Being on social networks makes you seem relevant and allows employers to know that you’re not hiding anything. Your page can allow employers to see if you are a culture fit as well.

You may want to activate a LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter account. If you are currently on these sites, you may want to update and edit it. Look for any grammatical errors, references to inappropriate activities or anything that could be viewed as negative. Join professional groups, or follow organizations in your field of choice.

The most important thing is not to view this as an employer invading your private life. This is allowing an employer to see your positive achievements, your social involvement and ability to be a great culture fit. Social networking is changing and we have to change with it. So let’s get on our social network pages and make ourselves relevant. TTYL :)

daja.pope@mattressfirm.com

You are what you post!

We’ve all heard the old saying, more than likely from your sweet grandmothers, “You are what you eat!” But in today’s tech savvy world with access to social media outlets at our finger tips, we should rephrase the saying to “You are what you post!”

I know this isn’t new news, but I am constantly surprised by the amount of personal and unflattering information people blast on social media sites. When considering your image, especially your professional image, it is always great to remember: “You are what you post!” Every time you post something to a social media site, you are building a personal brand, whether or not that is your intent.

What do your social media sites say about you? Is everything you post about partying until 3 am? Are all your comments negative? Do you vent about your personal situations? We know that social media isn’t going anywhere, so why not use this avenue to your advantage?

In order to ensure you like what you’re posting, here are a few helpful tips:

1. Know your audience. Know who you’re “friends” with on Facebook or who is following you on Twitter. If you are friends with your boss or co-workers, it’s probably not the best idea to vent about how you hate your job.

2. Check out of “checking in.” Think twice before checking in on Facebook or allowing others to check you in. It could create an image of you that you don’t want or it could also leak secret information about a potential business deal. Not to mention, the world now knows when you are not at home, which opens up the risk for your home and valuables to be compromised.

3. Protect your passwords. To avoid being hacked, make sure you don’t leave your account open or have an obvious password.

4. Don’t use social media under the influence. You’re not supposed to drink and drive, and I am proposing that you shouldn’t party and post. When you are under the influence you lose your inhibition and could say something you may regret.

5. The Front Page Newspaper effect. If you wouldn’t want your post to be on the front of the Sunday newspaper, then don’t post it! Wait… social media is starting to become the newspaper after all!

So remember that old advice from your sweet grandmother (with a little twist), the next time you want to share something on social media. Will that post help or hurt your personal brand? Because after all…. “You are what you post!”

amanda.robbins@mattressfirm.com

Wag Your Tail

You want people to like you? Make them feel important. The way you greet them and interact with them each and every time you see them dictates how they will treat you. Let’s take this obvious life lesson and look at it from a dog’s perspective.

Below you will see the picture of the world’s best dog. Yep, hands down… World’s. Best. Dog.

The Best Dog Competition hasn’t become an Olympic Sport yet, but when it does, the dog below would win Gold. If Forbes had a 100 Best Dogs list, this dog would be in the number one spot. If Donald Trump put on the Miss Universe Dog competition, this dog would be crowned and go on to figure out a way to find World Peace. Meet Ms. Lucille Ludens…

For any dog lovers reading this, I anticipate you may engage me in a heated discussion about how my claims are offensive because your dog is actually more qualified for the Gold. To that discussion, I acquiesce… because I know that every dog owner (well, about every dog owner… I have a few friends who aren’t sure they’re “dog people”) thinks their dog is the best in each and every way. And rightfully so.

I think the reason dog owners are so “territorial” over their dogs’ greatness is because their greatness isn’t necessarily award or medal-winning. It isn’t remarkably dignified or USA Today worthy. What makes them so great is their ability to make us feel important.

One of my favorite parts of my day is coming home after a long day at work and running to Lucille’s “office” at the back of the house and opening the door—there is more excitement and energy waiting behind that door than I experience all day. She jumps up and down, spins all around, does a lap around our house and then comes right back to see me. There is no one (that’s right, not even my 4 & 2 year old boys) who show me this much excitement.

Dogs truly have an innate ability with the love and energy they share with us humans. They aren’t afraid to wear their “heart on their sleeve” and don’t hold a grudge against us when we don’t reciprocate the excitement. They know when we are feeling sad and without doubt do what they can to cheer us up. It’s hard not to forgive the occasional accident in the house or the dug up flower bed when they constantly respond with unending love, right?

Imagine if you made people at work feel this way. What if you greeted everyone with a “wagging tail”? What if you could sense when someone was down and you did whatever you could to make them feel better? What if rather than holding a grudge against someone who frustrated you, you immediately forgave them? What if you always made everyone feel important?

So take a lesson from a dog. Wag your tail, jump around, make people feel loved and important… and more often than not, they will likely “throw you a bone”…

abby.ludens@mattressfirm.com