Login or Register Employment Resources by Category by Author Career Events Missouri Resources  

• Web Site
• Email Alexandra

In the last few months, I have spotted no fewer than three examples of one person in our social networking community slandering another person in our social networking community. I use the word slander, although technically it's more like libel because the articles are written by bloggers who are read by thousands. I am not going to tell you who they are because A) I will not stoop to their level and B) that would send even more attention their way, which is exactly what some of them want.

Personal blogs and social networks make it way too easy for us to spout off malicious judgments and/or hurtful falsehoods about other people. Did someone wrong you? Do you hate his work or what he stands for? Why bother to approach the person and share your views in a civilized manner when it makes you feel powerful and vindicated to rant in a public online forum where you can see just how many people agree with you?

I'll tell you why. Because even if it makes you feel better for the time being, it's not worth it. First of all, there's the issue of your personal brand. Everything published online has a long life, even if you later change your mind and try to delete it. Whether they have cause or not, people who slam others online are perceived by most observers to be petty, immature, and even cruel. Imagine that a few years down the road, an employer is searching for you. Do you want them to come upon your rant and drop your resume in the recycling bin, fearing that you'll shoot your mouth off the second the company does something that's not to your liking?

In our litigious society, it's also a dumb idea to cut someone down using their real name. I guarantee that person will find out, either through word of mouth or via a Google search. And they might be mad enough to sue you. It doesn't really matter if they don't win (most libel suits get thrown out eventually, especially if the plaintiff is well-known). You'll still have to pay big bucks to a lawyer to defend yourself.

Even if the person doesn't sue you, you've probably burned a bridge. The fact is, you never know when that person might cross your path again, and god forbid he's ever in a position to get back at you (he gets famous, becomes a client, etc.). Then you could really be in trouble.

Prefacing statements that are downright mean or compromising by saying they're "just your opinion" does not take away from the damage they may do to you and your reputation. Please people, just think before you type.
 
Alexandra Levit is the founder and president of Inspiration at Work, a career consulting firm.

A former nationally syndicated career columnist with Tribune Media Services and a current blogger for www.HuffingtonPost.com and www.GetTheJob.com, Alexandra has authored several books, including the popular They Don't Teach Corporate in College, How'd You Score That Gig? and Success for Hire. Her career advice has been featured in more than 800 media outlets including the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, National Public Radio, ABC News, Fox News, the Associated Press, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, and Fortune, and her articles regularly appear on the home pages of CNN, MSN, and Yahoo!.

Known as one of the premiere career spokespeople of her generation, Alexandra regularly speaks nationwide at conferences, universities, and corporations including ABN AMRO, Campbell's Soup, CIGNA, the Federal Reserve Bank, McDonalds, Microsoft, and Whirlpool — on workplace issues facing young employees.

For more information, visit www.alexandralevit.com.