When I was in elementary school, my mother used to always tell me not to write anything down on paper that I wouldn’t want the whole world to see. That was back in the day when we would be writing notes to other kids and passing them through the grapevine during class. (We were so naughty!)

The same thing applies on the social Web. You shouldn’t post anything or write anything on a social network that you wouldn’t want the world to see.

Your personal brand is your professional brand and vise versa. Anyone who thinks there is some kind of separation is sadly mistaken.

It is quite likely that if you are applying for a job, the prospective employer will look at your Facebook profile even if you’re not friends.

About a year ago, a young man contacted me repeatedly, insisting he was perfect as a candidate to work for Nancy Marshall Communications. I looked him up on Facebook and there, I found a whole slew of photographs showing how social a person he was.

The photos showed him drinking copious amounts of Budweiser and playing beer pong. It showed him in many states of drunkenness, partying in all sorts of venues, proving that he was not only social, but he was worldly, too!

His friends had commented on his posts about how hysterical he was after pounding so many beers while simultaneously bouncing a ping pong ball, so he was athletic as well!

I enjoy a good party as much as most people, if not more, but when you are trying to establish yourself in the world, you can’t assume you can paint one picture of yourself on Facebook and another picture of yourself on LinkedIn, and only your friends will find you on the former and professional contacts will find you on the latter!

So, remember what my wise mother said and don’t post anything on social networks that you wouldn’t want the whole world to see.