MBA Social Media Strategy: Be Careful Before You Post That Selfie
Do you have a profile on any of the major social media platforms? Do you frequently tweet, upload pictures to Instagram or Flickr, or post updates on Facebook? If so, you might want to make sure your online presence wont derail your MBA application efforts.
If an admissions team is leaning toward admitting you to their program, its possible that they could do a quick Google search on your name before making their final decision. If youve demonstrated bad judgment by posting pictures of yourself doing not-so-upstanding things or making offensive or otherwise politically incorrect comments, youve given them a reason to move your application to the ding pile.
You may remember when The New York Times reported on a high school senior who caused a stir at Bowdoin College after posting disparaging tweets about other attendees at the schools information session. If some undergraduate admissions committees are using teenagers social media behavior against them, its possible that business schools wont be any more forgiving with adults who should know better.
It doesnt end with the admissions committee, either. Lets say you are invited to interview with a local alum; that person might try to find out as much information about you as possible before your chat. Once youre at school, potential internship and full-time employers could perform an even more extensive online background check. Your fellow classmates might do some digging, too!
So while you may believe its funny and harmless to post that selfie after youve tipped back one too many, think again. Theres a chance you could compromise your MBA candidacy because of a fleeting moment of indiscretion. If an admissions committee member comes across something that raises a red flag, theyll likely move on to the next candidate.
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Concerned about your online brand? Work with Stacy Blackman Consulting on your social media strategy.