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Make Retirement Plans For Your Social Media Accounts

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Disney sign end of the line social media accounts

I’m going to talk about a subject that many of us don’t like to discuss – death.

I ran across a column in The Washington Post about “Facebook memorials”. It’s an interesting read about the different options that can come up when someone with a Facebook account dies and how you can pay respects online. You might want to check it out. My biggest takeaway from the article was that I need to have an opinion about what happens to my social media accounts when I die. Here are some of the things that I’ve started thinking about that you might want to consider as well:

Should I retire some social media accounts before? Granted, because of HR Bartender and Unretirement Project, I’m out on quite a few social media networks. But will I need to maintain all of them as I get older? Probably not.

How will I know when to retire a social media account? It’s easy to say that I might not need to be out on every social media network forever. That being said, I do need to think about what the conditions are for retiring a social media account. Right now, it’s kinda willy nilly. Oh, Google+ is shutting down? Okay, I’ll close my account. That logic might not be the same with Twitter.

How should I close an account? The answer to this question might seem obvious, but I’m not so sure. Some people close accounts by contacting the organization and officially “closing the account”. Others do it by simply not using it anymore. There are advantages and disadvantages to each. If you’re wavering on whether or not to use a social media network anymore, maybe it makes some sense to not use it for a while to confirm your decision. That way if you miss the interaction, you can easily go back.

Do I want and/or need a record of the account before I close it? Many social media platforms give you the ability to download your historical record. I must admit that I’ve never really utilized this option, but could it be worth my time to download my history before closing the account.? I honestly don’t know. However, I do think it’s worth some research and a conversation. And if you do decide to get the record, what are you doing to do with it?

Who do I need to inform about my social media accounts? What I’m talking about here are logins and passwords. Chances are you’re going to change your password regularly between now and then, so you don’t want to have to notify family or friends every time you do. (And if you’re not planning to change your password, you should.) Have a place – like a password manager – where people will be able to easily find so that, in the event of your death, they can access your accounts and follow your wishes. 

I’m sure I’ve only scratched the surface of the things we have to consider when it comes to social media and our passing. But it’s an important conversation. Our identities are out there and the last thing any of us want is our identity to be compromised. So, we want to be able to enjoy social media while we can and put the pieces in place for it to be handled appropriately when we’re not here anymore.

Image captured by Sharlyn Lauby while exploring Disneyland in Anaheim, CA

How to Deal With Ageism During Job Interviews

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you be you sign confidence is in you ageism during interviews

I ran across this article on Harvard Business Review titled, “5 Ways to Respond to Ageism in a Job Interview”. It’s worth checking out. 

It’s unfortunate but ageism exists. And there’s a real debate going on right now whether ageism is being perpetuated by organizations or individuals. Meaning, are companies really the villains when it comes to pointing out that age is a factor in employment decisions OR are individuals the victim for not keeping up with the times. Personally, I think there’s a bit of both happening in the workplace today.

Organizations need to realize that older workers bring value. Especially when businesses are really struggling to find talent. Meanwhile, job seekers and employees need to realize the world is changing. Technology is a big part of our personal and professional lives. As individuals, we need to evolve and stay current. 

Back to the Harvard Business Review piece. I thought the article had some great interview tips for individuals who are trying to find a new opportunity in today’s job market. Regardless of age. Here are five from the article:

  1. Demonstrate energy, enthusiasm, and curiosity.
  2. Adopt a consulting mindset, meaning listen more than talk.
  3. Express a willingness to work in a non-hierarchical organization.
  4. Connect with the recruiter and hiring manager.
  5. Show the ability to work with a diverse group of people. 

But I have to tell you, IMHO, the author blew it big time with the suggestion to “look the part”. [Warning: Rant Ahead]

No, the author didn’t suggest that we all start wearing hoodies and Allbirds. That being said, I felt even adding comments about department store styling services, buying some modern jewelry, and getting new eyeglasses were out of place. I thought the author negated all of the useful tips they shared by saying, “It’s not enough to showcase your knowledge, skills, and abilities. You have to look like you’ll fit in.”

As a human resources professional, here’s my two-cents regarding interview attire: You should be who you are. That includes wearing what you want. Wear what makes you happy, comfortable, and productive. My only advice for individuals about their clothing is wear what fits, make sure it’s clean, and don’t offend anyone. If you want to buy some new clothes because you’re looking for a new job, go right ahead. But do it for you. Not because some company – or writer –  says you need to. [Rant Over. Thanks for listening.]

I recently learned about a new term called “covering”. This is when organizations hire individuals because on the surface, they appear to bring diversity, but once the person starts, the new employee feels the need to “cover up” who they are to fit in. Take that principle to the interviewing process. If you have to cover up who you are to get a job, how happy are you really going to be once you get hired? I’m not just talking about clothes. 

Looking for a new opportunity is a long and sometimes stressful process. Do your homework on the companies you’re interviewing with. Make sure you feel you can be yourself there. Because that’s where you’ll be happiest and most productive. 

Image captured by Sharlyn Lauby while exploring the streets of Denver, CO