The spider web of social media can entice you in to participate, but it’s essential to guard your image as a health system CIO by avoiding some pitfalls. Being involved in social media is very trendy and important for your professional image, but use caution on what you say, upload, like, or share on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and numerous other sites.
Examples of overexposure
On a recent CIO search for one of my clients, I put several good candidates though our media check process (yes, expect that to happen if you are actively looking for a new position). The results? One candidate had all his personal photos on Picasa, an Internet photo album, some of which showed up immediately on a Google search for his name. He responded right away and deactivated the site, but his personal blog site also came up with personal photos — all “clean” but too intimate outside of family and friends. He took the site down.
Another CIO candidate had a Facebook photo that showed him in a sports competition with no shirt. He decided to deactivate his Facebook account. These two candidates were fortunate in that although some of those photos may still show up in cyberspace in the future, they were able to maintain their candidacy and head off a major issue with a potential the employer.
Another candidate was not so fortunate. After reading her Twitter account and learning about her personal habits, it was clear — to me, as the lead recruiter — that she would not fit well within the client’s formal culture.
How can you avoid the professional pitfalls that social media presents? Here are a few recommendations:
- Google yourself and check which sites, images, stories come up; as much as possible, clear up anything that would be viewed as undesirable. Ask friends and contacts to remove photos or “untag” you if need be.
- Deactivate your Facebook page if you have one. Many CIOs I speak with are doing this, or have avoided it altogether. As much as you’d like Facebook to remain “private” among family and friends, the reality is that the information you share can easily become public.
- When using Twitter, commenting on LinkedIn, or participating on other social groups, always let your professional self be your guide. It’s okay to let your personality come through — it’s encouraged in fact — as long as you understand that current and potential employers will be reading it.
- Be mindful of your reputation and image in everything you do on the web, even in a seemingly innocent 140-character tweet.
Examples of underexposure
On the flip side are those CIO candidates who have ignored LinkedIn and its advantage as the premier social media outlet for professionals. If you do not have a profile (or an updated one), you will have lost a great deal of credibility in the current healthcare IT industry. Consider LinkedIn as your professional business card and use it properly. I may not consider someone as a serious IT candidate if they are not on LinkedIn or if they’re not using it properly.
My recommendations are:
- Review some CIO leaders’ profiles on LinkedIn
- Write a great summary of your career along with a listing of past positions
- Connect with 500+ people, which in effect expands your network to millions
- Invest in a professional headshot photo in formal business attire (no casual photos)
- Join multiple health and health IT groups of interest
- Seek recommendations from others you have worked with
- Write and speak on your expertise at health IT conferences or user meetings
- Participate in a podcast or webinar describing recent successes in health IT
Don’t be afraid to join the social media extravaganza. But be careful of your image, and maintain control of what you want the global network to see and read about you.
Share Your Thoughts
You must be logged in to post a comment.