We’re still in HR Conference mode with two extraordinary conferences here in Chicago this weekend (HR Technology Conference and HRevolution) and then a couple more the end of October (SHRM’s Diversity and SHRM’s Work-Flex Conferences).

These conferences are great and have some of the best speakers and sessions on what’s up in Human Resource Management and also gives us a chance to hang out with fellow HR folk and talk shop – whether it’s the latest technology or the idiot at work who wrongfully tweeted crap about our current President.

They also give us a chance to hang out, get to know each other in a more personal way with all the after hour parties and such.

TAKE HEED

That being said, I think it’s safe to say that keeping in mind that your online brand matters, especially when attending these HR parties (or even your own WORK parties).

We all love Instagram and the ability to immediately share pics of us with our online friends we meet IRL (in real life) and show the world that we think we’re important cause we’re hobnobbing with the cool kids.

But let’s get something straight – posting pics on Instagram and sharing to Facebook or Twitter the one of you dancing on the bar while using the #hashtag of the event,  is gonna bite you in the rear come Monday when you go back to the office. You’re likely to hear the phrase “I’m sorry. You’re no longer employed here.”

Then you’re doing the job search thingy and find that everything has spiraled out of control in your little world. You may even have a heart attack when someone tells you “I’m sorry you’re just not a good fit for the job” because they can’t get that party pic outta their head.

Okay, I know this sounds a little extreme, but this stuff happens. It not only makes you look “wild and crazy” but it takes away from the purpose of the event and sharing socially. It diminishes it, really.

We’ve come so far with Social Business and Social Sharing in the world of work and especially at our conferences in keeping those informed who were not able to attend the conference. Why would we want to ruin it and take us all back to the year 2000? (It only takes one bad apple)

So this is just a friendly reminder to think before you post. Whether at a conference, a church picnic or at work.

And as our friend William TinCup always reminds us “Just use common sense.”