Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and all other avenues of social media are constructs of Generation Z, made up of, for the most part, today’s college students and recent graduates. Members of Generation Z do tend to live up to the stereotypical rashness elders assign them; an infatuation with indulging impulses that then go on to become immortalized on these social media sites.
Many young people do a wash of their online profiles when they begin the process of job or internship hunting, deleting embarrassing or incriminating photos and statuses. This practice has been endorsed by employers all over the world. The way people present themselves online can have a very real effect on their entire future.
The world of social interactions has been irrevocably altered to accommodate these social media inventions. Such changes to the social fabric of the average person’s lifestyle make perfect sense in the minds of young people who are used to the instantaneous and are better equipped to adapt to a world of constant change.
However, some members of the older generations, generations who have had to adapt to a baffling amount of technological innovations and a drastic change in social rules, have wholeheartedly rejected some of the changes of the new social order.
So to the young people who argue against the erasing of one’s memories and experiences, in favor of presenting a more ‘complete’ image of themselves to potential employers: think again.
A study by Reppler found that more than 90 percent of recruiters will check the social media sites of prospective new team members.
Obviously, what goes online is not something that cannot just be ignored. It does not make financial sense for companies to hire anybody who might be a liability to them.
Companies want to invest in employees who are dependable, responsible, and who will only uphold the reputation of the company.
True, it is very possible for a person to enjoy partying on the weekend and still show up, on-time, every Monday morning with a mind dedicated to the task at hand, ready and willing to work. It is possible, but employers will not want to take the risk involved in putting in the time and money into training such a wildcard.
Some would venture to argue that an employer who cannot appreciate the full character of an individual, the good and the bad, isn’t the best fit for either party. But young people are in no position to be choosy about where they work.
In any economy, getting a job after college is difficult. Getting a job in today’s poor economy is almost impossible and all opportunities should be cherished and highly prized.
Just because a company wants to be extra careful that they are making the right decision in assembling their team, does not mean they are prudes working in a creatively cramping environment that will slowly kill the spirit of any unique young individual.
It may not make any sense to Generation Zers who are used to living their lives as an open book, sharing everything with everyone. It is, however, the intelligent decision to go ahead and clean up any incriminating evidence that could give an employer pause.
At the very least, common sense should dictate that security measures are beefed up, blocking parts of one’s private life from prying eyes.
Social media sites should be used to present the best aspects of one’s self. Even if that photo of the gang dressed up as Scooby Doo characters toasting another mystery solved is the favorite among a select group of friends, it should be kept within the eyes of that circle alone.
Don’t take a risk on the future by letting stubborn ideals of the way today’s society works prevent smart decisions.
Generation Zers may be ready to embrace a more integrated professional and private persona, but it is the bosses, older citizens with more rigid ideas about appropriateness, who still run the world.
Allana Wooley is a freshman anthropology and history double major from Marble Falls.
