Social Media Puts a Microscope on Social Characteristics: Reputation

Social media not only has an effect on business at a macro level but at a micro level as well. In the specific case of reputation social media has revolutionized what reputation has become to be known and how it is presented to the general public. Reputation is no longer just about personal appearance and relationships with other peers. Social media puts a mirror close-up image of who you are to anyone with access to a computer. Employers can check up on potential employees by looking up their credit scores online. Even colleges use Facebook to look up potential students to see what kind of a reputation that person has socially. Without social media outlets, employers would use paperwork and interviews to gage a person’s reputation. The amount of time it would take for background checks, etc. would limit how much information an employer could gain about a potential employee. Social media has become a tool for employers to use to find out even more personal and social details about possible potential employees. In a way, social media has become a “Big Brother.” There are positives and negatives of the influence of social media on reputation. Reputation is no longer black and white by definition. Instead, there are many layers to a person’s reputation that is present by multiple social media outlets. It is a strength on behalf of the person behind the social media when they can present themselves in a way that gives off a prestigious reputation. The only negative to this is that employers and anyone in society in general has more access to information about you. It is up to you what information you allow to be available. All in all, the lesson that can be taken from this social situation is that face still matters when dealing with social media even when it is not you personally but pictures and words that shape your reputation for others.