It May Be Tempting Not to, But Keep Your Social Media Clean

Don’t judge a book by it’s cover? Well, hiring managers and recruiters will 100% judge you by your social media pages, which is why you need to keep them clean.

It’s tempting, especially if you are still in college, to Instagram that picture of you doing a kegstand or dancing on that bar. But… don’t. Post a smiling picture of you and your group of friends instead. You may be unhappy about it at first, but when you land that job in a year or so, you won’t regret your decision.

Let’s be real. Everyone has a social presence nowadays. And job recruiters know that. They will look at your online presence. Think about it from the perspective of if you were a recruiter — if you looked at your social media pages, would you hire you? If the answer is no, it’s time to clean up those social pages.

Don’t curse.
Honestly, is there really a reason for you to be dropping the F-bomb casually? I’m sure you can make your point, and vocalize your anger and disappointment, assuming it’s appropriate, in many other ways or with many other words. If you’re cursing in an online public forum, where everyone can see you, how would the company you’re applying for know you won’t casually drop inappropriate language when speaking with clients? Plus, these future clients can always Google you… leading them right to seeing your use of curse words.

Don’t post inappropriate photos.
As alluded to above, especially while you’re in college, it’s extremely tempting to show off that great party you were at. But you can show it off — in a much cleaner way that doesn’t show that you’re partaking in underage drinking! Post a great picture of you and your bestie, or of you and your significant other. Do not post that picture of you chugging a beer, especially if you are not yet of age. What company wants a partier as an employee?

Engage with thought leaders in your field.
What type of field are you looking to go into? Find thought leaders of that field on social media and follow them. And of course, find the company you’re looking to work for on social media (remember: some companies let you have a glimpse at your potential workplace via Snapchat), and follow them as well. Look for hiring managers and directors on social media. Follow them and engage with them. If they shared a great article about the company, share it or respond to them. Show them how interested you are in the work they’re doing.

Show that you know what you’re talking about.
The beauty of social media? You are the one who decides what it is that you’re sharing. Use this to your advantage by branding yourself as an expert in the field. Show the thought leaders in your field and the employees of the company you want to work for that you know what you’re talking about. Share things about what’s happening in your field. Show off your knowledge. Let it be evident that you’re staying on top of the happenings in the field.

Don’t engage in online fights or rants.
Millennials, we are all adults or young adults by this point. There is absolutely no reason to get into a fight in a public forum. If someone picks a fight with you, ignore it, or address it privately. Additionally, do not rant online about your last job, or getting a rejection from a job. This is a huge turn off for a future employer. How would they know you’re not just going to do the same thing about their company?

If you’re in the midst of the job hunt, keep your social media clean. It’s critical. Maybe take a look at your privacy settings and think as to whether or not your social media channels need to be public. Once you get the job you want, you can revamp and change things — obviously, always being smart and responsible about it, and knowing what your company will be okay with, and not okay with.

Don’t let social media be the reason why you don’t get that job. Let it be part of the reason that you do.

I Gave Into the LuLaRoe Craze…and I’m Glad I Did

Adulting, Author: Mary Grace Donaldson

The power of social media has offered us an alternative to dating sites, career advice via Twitter, podcasts and, of course, LinkedIn. And now, it is offering a very quick and easy way to purchase direct sales products from consultants across the country.

Millennials, I know your pain — you’ve been invited to Facebook groups touting everything from dietary supplements to jewelry to Jamberry nails and the latest in the direct sales craze…LuLaRoe, a direct sales company advertising “simply comfortable” clothing, particularly their trademark print leggings with somewhat unusual prints.

Most of these types of invitations are ones I easily ignore, to the tune of “oh, no, what is this one selling?” We’re not talking about sites where you can save or make money while you shop, either. Many “consultants” selling all types of products are often stay-at-home moms who look to make some extra cash for their families on the side, but as with all groups of people, stay-at-home moms are not the only ones hocking their loot on social media.

But one day, it happened. I gave in. A friend (who is very much a millennial and very much not a stay-at-home mom) hosted a “LuLaRoe Pop-Up Party,” the social media equivalent of the Tupperware parties of my mom’s generation. Instead of visiting a friend’s home to purchase Tupperware products, the “party” was going to take place on a LuLaRoe “consultant’s” Facebook group (aka her “store”).

I only bought a few items — including signature leggings — at this “Pop-Up Party,” but later found out that my cousin buys LuLaRoe too…and she went ahead and added me to a number of Facebook groups. A month later, I’m hooked, and here’s why:

The clothes are comfortable, yet stylish.
While I firmly believe that leggings are indeed pants, I’ve never been one to think that I could wear them instead of pants to go out on a Friday night. And then I wore my floral print LuLaRoe leggings two Friday nights in a row and fell in love with how they looked.

They are made for all shapes and sizes.
As someone who wears plus sizes, I find myself frustrated with the options available at mainstream stores, and I’m equally as frustrated with the prices at plus size specialty stores. LuLaRoe makes the same types and styles of clothes — not just leggings — in all sizes.

The prices are reasonable.
While not as reasonably priced as the plus size department at JC Penney, LuLaRoe doesn’t totally hit you in the wallet. The infamous leggings run at $25 a pop, and that price is the same for smaller and larger sizes. Dresses run a bit higher, but the most expensive one I’ve seen is $65.

So, why should millennials buy LuLaRoe?

The clothes allow for self-expression.
There’s a print for everyone. One of my favorite pairs of leggings is pink with drawings of vintage cameras all over it. And if prints don’t float your boat, never fear…they sell solid colors too.

They are easily purchased.
We’re all busy, right? You can buy a whole new wardrobe just by browsing Facebook groups on your lunch break.

You can support your friends who are working hard at a side hustle.
As we’ve discussed, it’s hard to balance working a full-time job and a side hustle. Make the hard work worth it for those who are doing it.

There’s LuLaRoe for men and kids too!
In a true showing of gender equality, LuLaRoe defies the direct sales stereotype of catering only to women. While women are clearly the target market, it’s great to see the brand’s inclusiveness.

Have you purchased any LuLaRoe products? What has your experience been like? Let us know in the comments!

Checking In to a Cause: Facebook Check-Ins and Standing Rock

Author: Alli Jean, Current Events/Politics

You may have noticed that this week brought a particular trend to your Facebook news feed: most likely, you witnessed several of your friends “checking in” to Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in North Dakota in an effort to support the Sioux who are protesting the Dakota Access pipeline.

Primary arguments against the pipeline include that if it were to break it would have tremendous negative impact on the surrounding environment, that construction of the pipeline feeds into enormous corporate greed, and that the path of the pipeline goes straight through sacred Sioux land. This is a group of people who have long-suffered injustice at the hands of the U.S. Government — the pipeline is just the latest example.

After harsh criticism towards the police who had so far responded and made arrests in the midst of this peaceful protest, word spread Monday that the local police in Standing Rock were using Facebook check-ins to aide in their arrests of those protesting the pipeline.

Therefore, in a Facebook campaign that spread across the country, news feeds across America filled with check ins at Standing Rock. Participants were urged to post a separate clarifying message to their Facebook friends to explain why they had checked in at Standing Rock, spread word of the effort and keep the check-ins coming in.

Since the Facebook campaign began, conflicting reports about whether or not police in North Dakota had been monitoring the check-ins began to emerge, yet Facebook continued to see thousands join in.

But does it matter? Whether or not these check-ins have made a direct difference, it has brought awareness to the Sioux Reservation and those standing in solidarity with them in North Dakota. It has reinforced that Facebook and social media can be utilized for more than selfies and the documentation of every meal you’ve ever had. Our inter-connectedness can be used to create positive change as we grow more aware of our neighbors that may be in need of our support.

Is there more we can do? Yes. Educate yourself about these and all political issues, support environmental protection and preservation and donate if you are able.

In the most tumultuous political climate any of us can remember, remember to stay checked in, both literally and emotionally, to what is happening around you.

Disclaimer: The political views presented in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of Not Another Millennial Blog.