Social media can be great for your career or it can have a devastating effect in one single post. So it's important to understand how to behave online and what you should and shouldn't share, so that your career and future job prospects aren't affected. You should remember your online footprint is traceable and what you post online is in the public domain, even if you delete it.
1. Check your privacy settings
If you don't want your posts to turn up in search engines, it's a good idea to set your account to a more private setting.
2. Check photos before you share
We're not telling you not to post any pictures of work or your training centre, just be careful when you do. Make sure that there isn't any sensitive information in the picture, or that it doesn't show anyone or anything in a negative light. If you post a picture of a person make sure you have their permission to share it.
3. Mentioning colleagues/classmates/trainers
If you're talking about people online, whether or not they are part of your social media community or not, think about what they would do if they read it. Would it upset or offend them? How would you react about a similar post about you?
4. Being professional
If you put details of where you work in your profile, then you should be professional at all times on social media. Anything you post online reflects on your employer. Behave as you would if you were in your work clothes. If you don't want to be professional on Facebook then don't mention where you work.
5. Be sensible
This seems like an obvious one but don't post about any illegal activities online. This could affect your apprenticeship and any other future job prospects, and you could be prosecuted. If you're unsure about whether or not to post something think about what your Gran would say if she saw it as that's usually a good measure! If she wouldn't approve, then just don't post it.
6. Be secure
Use different passwords for different social media sites and other online log-ins. If you have the same password for all log-ins and you are hacked, they could access all of your online profiles.
7. Share positivity
If you've had a great day of training, tell people about it. If you've enjoyed a particular aspect of your job then share it. Don't moan about work or your colleagues online.
8. Be part of it
If your training centre or workplace has Facebook or Twitter pages, then join them and be part of the community in liking and sharing their posts.
9. Get involved in your industry
You have a wealth of knowledge and a massive community right at your fingertips, via the internet. You can use this to your advantage, as there will be blogs and forums, pages and groups in your area of training. Join them and you can gain information and advice about your industry and get involved with the community.
10. Know the time and place for social media
Don't use social media when you should be working or training; save it for during your spare time.