The Social Media Mullet
According to Wikipedia, a mullet is a unisex hair style that is short in the front and long in the back. The mullet began making appearances in the popular media in the 1960s and 1970s but did not catch on with the masses until the early 1980s.
Business professionals, entrepreneurs, and job seekers can learn from those that sport this fashionable cut when managing their online brand. A popular saying when describing a mullet comes to mind-
“Business in the front. Party in the back.”
Wise words when considering your online brand as a business professional no matter what your industry, position, or responsibility level. Keep your business and professional profile in the forefront and in plain view of recruiters, prospective employers. and customers. Keep your personal life and party in the back. Users of social media need to be mindful doing your best to maintain a professional image while showing your creative and unique qualities at the same time.
Business in the Front.
Social media platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, Blogs, and Twitter are great mediums in which to develop relationships and grab the attention of hiring managers and recruiters. Share your expertise and lead with the business in all you do. Your posts, pictures, and tweets should be at least 70% business related. Lead with interesting articles, tidbits, and information that is industry specific or related to the job in which you currently work or aspire to.
Party in the Back
The remaining 30% of your social media content can be related to your personal side but be weary. I have visited FaceBook profiles with one too many drunk pictures and tweets leading me to search for talent elsewhere. If you are unsure if something is inappropriate, ask yourself if your mother would approve. Items that your mother would approve and/or tolerate are generally appropriate to display on your social media profiles. Social media is all about interacting and developing relationships. I encourage you to tweet or post comments seeking input and feedback from others. Commonalities make you interesting which lead to engaging conversations with persons from a wide variety of backgrounds.
Unfortunately, for Dog, the Bounty Hunter, this advice has come a little too late. He is a good example of why your social media mullet is so important.
**To vote for Jessica Miller-Merrell’s blog post, please leave a comment below. You can learn more about Jessica and her job search and social media blog at www.blogging4jobs.com.
Tags: dog the bounty hunter, Jessica Miller-Merrell, mullet, personal branding, social media, tweet & shout, Twitter
Aug 31, 2009
[...] The Social Media Mullet | OKCtweetup | Your source for info on Oklahoma City tweetups http://www.okctweetup.com/2009/08/the-social-media-mullet – view page – cached #RSS 2.0 OKCtweetup | Your source for info on Oklahoma City tweetups » The Social Media Mullet Comments Feed OKCtweetup | Your source for info on Oklahoma City tweetups OKCtweetup – May, 14 With a Little Help from my Friends Tweet & Shout Blog Contest Begins — From the page [...]
Aug 31, 2009
EXACTLY what a blog should be – making an important and/or valuable point by using an everyday, fun example. Easy to read, easy to remember. This has my vote!
Aug 31, 2009
Great post Jessica!
Aug 31, 2009
Sorry to say, but I proudly sported one of these a couple years in college. What better time, huh?
Aug 31, 2009
Jessica – Nice job! I love the picture you chose for the post. I think the mix of business/personal varies by individual but no matter the specific ratio, people need to be very careful and mindful of what the social networks say about them. Well done!
Aug 31, 2009
As a Staffing/HR professional, I cannot agree with you more. There was an instance when I was recruiting for front desk employees, and one applicant included their myspace URL on the resume. The name alone was enough to make my eyes bulge and cover my mouth.
Out of curiosity, I went to the page to see what was on there. I was absolutely shocked that a candidate would include such information that would be reviewed by a potential employer!
On another note similar to this one, I am always surprised at the voicemails I have encountered when calling potential candidates. A clear, concise and professional voicemail is best.
Aug 31, 2009
You know, I’ve never thought of the mullet as cool, but when you describe it as all business in front and a party in the back it sounds totally cool! Seriously, I like the post and how you really take something we can all relate to and show how social media fits in. Great job!
Aug 31, 2009
Very good article. This is definitely true when attending the OKC tweetup, as you never know what influential person you might meet.
Aug 31, 2009
Yup! I’m voting for myself but only once!!!
JMM
Aug 31, 2009
The most famous mullet for me is Billy Ray Cyrus. When Achy Breaky came out that was when I learned what a mullet was & how not to dance!
Aug 31, 2009
Great article!
Aug 31, 2009
Business in the front – Party in the back.
Love it!
Chris Hoyt
aka: RecruiterGuy
http://www.RecruiterGuy.net
Aug 31, 2009
Great article!! And a great association with the mullet, easy for people to grasp the concept and REMEMBER it! Great points for everyone to keep in mind!!!
Aug 31, 2009
Great post. I couldn’t agree more.
Aug 31, 2009
Good points on the mullet and business, I use to have one Now i just wish I had enouth hair to grow one if I wanted to.
Aug 31, 2009
Great analogy between a hairstyle that lives on and on and on and your personal brand. That should live on and on and on as well.
BTW, living in rural Southeastern NC, I see mullets quite frequently. (Yes, yes I do.) I’ll never see them the same way again …
Good job Jessica!!
Aug 31, 2009
Jessica, you hit the nail on the head or you hit the mullet with a mallet. Either way, you have made good points. Great post!
Aug 31, 2009
You know you have my support and adorabtion on all things related to social media — mullet or no mullet.
Aug 31, 2009
You were serious when you told me how much you liked my mullet blog post back in March!
http://bit.ly/WDV8d
Aug 31, 2009
Good suggestions…I hope I can make the best use of them!
Aug 31, 2009
Ok – I normally don’t agree with smoking in the girls room… but I hve to agree wtih Chris, Business in the front – Party in the back – I’m in.
Great post as always!
Ryan
Aug 31, 2009
I was really hopin you’d give some props to the “femullet”
Once again, the chix get left out!!!
*sigh* HR people…
Aug 31, 2009
I thnk it a mullett is ac/dc. You can’t have both!
Aug 31, 2009
Very good blog. Meaningful, easy to read and fun. It kept my attention and had some very good and easy to remember points included!! A plus!!
Aug 31, 2009
This is great, love it!
Sep 01, 2009
Jessica — I always enjoy and learn from your pieces — and your wonderful examples of how social media can be used to build a business and help others. Great blog! THANKS!
Sep 01, 2009
Anytime you can use a mullet in a business analogy, you’ve got my attention! Great post, Jessica!
Sep 01, 2009
Great post Jessica. Gets a vote from me!
Sep 01, 2009
I agree.
Sep 01, 2009
I’m totally growing a mullet now.
Sep 01, 2009
SMN guidlines are so important and Jessica knocks the ball out of the park.
Sep 01, 2009
You definitely have my vote Jessica! Very impressive!
Sep 01, 2009
It’s business time….in the front at least. Great Stuff
Sep 01, 2009
Jessica,
I love this one. It’s great advice for anyone using social media. Good luck!
Sep 01, 2009
Awesome post Jessica, you have my vote for sure
Sep 01, 2009
Always such great information! Good job Jessica.
Sep 01, 2009
Oh, the 80’s. They taught us more than we realize! Great post and advice. Love it Jessica! Thank you!
Sep 01, 2009
Great blog Jessica. I totally agree with keeping the party side in the background. I go and untag myself from photos and even check my google search engine from time to time to make sure my best foot forward is shown online.
thanks!
Sep 01, 2009
Hilarious blog, it get’s my vote!
Sep 01, 2009
One of my favorite Dogisms…
“We came in here with prayers and mace! ”
Duane “Dog the Bounty Hunter” Chapman
Great post Jessica!
Sep 01, 2009
Another great post, Jessica. Making a point with humor…thanks!
Sep 01, 2009
Great analogy! You have my vote!
Sep 01, 2009
Great Job, Jessica!
Sep 01, 2009
Awesome post Jessica.
Sep 01, 2009
Word. Keep that party in the back!
Sep 01, 2009
Interesting, timely and a fun read….Great job!!
Sep 02, 2009
Outstanding blog with tons of ideas, information, insight and inspiration for both job seekers as well as HR pros. A thoughtful and informative collection of ideas and tools.
Well done Jessica…
Sep 02, 2009
Jessica,
Thanks for the great & insightful articles.
Sep 02, 2009
Awesome read Jessica!
It is important to NOT be 100% business related.
Being 100% “biz-related” might be good for sales, but I’m not trying to sell anything; I’m all about expanding my network and meeting new people that could help bring me to future success!
@Fieldsy4Life
Sep 02, 2009
Love the post, you are awesome