Social Networking Effects on First Impression - Essay Example

     With the sites, someone has no way of confirming that the information posted on their walls is inaccurate. This is because individuals post what is on their minds. These posts are open to being seen by all friends. The information posted, might paint either a negative or positive picture in the minds of the viewer. Some may like it or not. On most occasions, the post tells us a lot about an individual. We look for jobs day in and out, and some of us have jobs. When we are using these sites, we have to be conscious of what we post. This is because we do not know about the reaction of the employers toward the posts (Papacharissi 10). We should be more focused on using these sites and have a positive mind because it might be a way of advertising ourselves positively, and through that, someone can be able to get a job. In contrary to getting a job, the site can be a stepping stone to your downfall.  A person can lose a job through the posts if they give a negative impression towards your job, your fellow employees, or to your employer.

     Many of us use these sites differently. It will be good if we know that we have information that might cause a different reaction among the viewers. If we make them public to everyone the way we do, that is where we find ourselves in trouble. No one ever will like to employ a person that has constantly been posting pictures, either of him drunk or drunk with friends. It will be wise not to have your boss as friends or consider having different accounts. This helps one to manage different accounts.  An individual can have one account as a ‘respect-oriented site’ and the other one for personal interests. This will help keep personal dignity (Papacharissi 18).

     With every new encounter with someone, individuals get to be evaluated. This helps one to form a personal impression of the other. Someone will be able to analyze a person through body language, dress, mannerisms, and demeanor. It is by this first impression that we set both tone and the reception to be given to us by an individual. When meeting a person for the first time, they might not be in need of your qualification. They are interested in familiarization, and thereafter other agendas can come in later. Being yourself is one virtue that earns points for someone. A person is able to gain confidentiality in an individual for that. It is unfortunate in the ‘Ethical Dilemma’ story above; that some people try to shape their resume with titles. Highlighting titles a person had in the previous job might not be necessary unless asked. People tend to think that it is a kind of bragging or elevating oneself esteem which might not be true with your intentions. It is good for one to create a good impression without total conformity or losing individuality, and to make a good first impression one needs to "fit in" to some degree, but it all goes back to being appropriate for the situation.

   In conclusion, it is evident that social networking sites are there and no one can evade them. The world is dynamic, and we have to keep pace with it. It will be good if we try to look at both the positive and the negative effects of what we do on those social sites. This is because they can kill or build someone’s name. With the issue of ‘First impression”, one has to create a good impression without total conformity or losing individuality.