Before You Shake Their Hand, They've Already Met You


For many students, fall means new classes, new organizations, career fairs, scholarship applications, internships, and job opportunities. While you're polishing your résumé and practicing interview questions, there's one thing many people forget about:


Their digital reputation.


The reality is that employers, scholarship committees, professors, coaches, and recruiters often search your name before they ever meet you. I've personally had hiring managers and recruiters tell me that social media is one of the first places they look, not because they're trying to invade someone's privacy, but because they want to understand who that person is beyond a résumé. Will you be a great fit for the company? Will you represent their brand well? Will you interact with faculty or staff in a way that facilitates an excellent work environment? Your social media often reveals what you value and how you already interact with others.


It shows what makes you laugh.

What you celebrate.

How you respond to disagreement.

What kind of language you use.

What captures your attention.

The music you choose.

The people you surround yourself with.

The morals you carry with you from day-to-day.


None of these things automatically determine your character, but together, they tell a story that is a direct reflection of your character, heart, and integrity.


This Isn't About Creating a Fake Version of Yourself

Let's be clear. This isn't about pretending to be perfect. It's not about deleting your personality or manufacturing an online image that isn't real. People can usually spot that from a mile away. Instead, this is about living intentionally. Ask yourself:


Am I acting, speaking, pursuing, and investing my time in things that align with the person I hope to become?


Whether your dream is to become a ranch manager, veterinarian, teacher, nurse, business owner, physician, agricultural educator, entrepreneur, or livestock judge, every decision either moves you toward that goal or away from it. Your online presence should simply reflect the direction you're already walking.


A Simple Rule of Thumb

If your grandma wouldn't enjoy seeing it, it probably doesn't belong online.

If it disrespects your family in any way, don't post it.

If it falls into drama, gossip, or any other form of demeaning media, don't post it.

Now, we sincerely hope that you don't have to worry about any of these issues, but consider the following, personal questions.


Questions Worth Asking

Before posting, consider:

  • Does this represent my character?
  • Would I be comfortable if a future employer saw this?
  • Does this reflect the values I want my family to be known for?
  • Am I contributing something positive?
  • Will I still be proud of this a year from now?

If the answer is no, it may be worth reconsidering.


A wise person once said, "Don't use social media to impress people. Use it to impact people". The way that you live, walk, and the standards you hold yourself to are a living example to those around you.

The Common Ground

We live in a society where social media has become the new norm and is socially accepted across the world. When you think about your day, how many times do you use some form of media? It seems like everywhere you look, someone has Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, you name it, and it is all shaping how you think, act, and respond. You may catch yourself thinking of the next post or the next comment or how to get the most likes. I caution you because this can lead down a dangerous road.


Influencing has become a very popular trend in the past several years. However, I want to challenge you with a question:


When you think of the word influencer, what do you think of?


Probably someone who has a platform and is promoting products or a lifestyle and simultaneously influencing your perspective, goals, dreams, actions, and even product purchases. But, we all have an opportunity to make an impact and to influence others, no matter how big or small our following is. Regardless of what is verbally expressed, if you have a social media account and you post at all, chances are you will have at least a handful of people that see your posts and are influenced by your content (posts, reels, stories, notes, & instants), for the good or the bad.


Through a Biblical Lens

As Christians, our identity isn't built on likes, followers, or online approval.

It's built on Christ.

That doesn't mean we hide our personalities or avoid having fun. It means that wherever we go, including online, we have an opportunity to reflect His character and live above reproach. We all have an incredible opportunity to shine light to others.


Paul reminds believers in Colossians 3:17:

"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."


Our words matter.

Our attitudes matter.

The way we treat people matters - even behind a screen.


As Christians, we are called to live above reproach. This goes for your online and in-person communication. We are called to a higher standard of living, and with that comes higher responsibility. Our morals are not just built on how we were raised or the knowledge of right and wrong. It goes deeper than that. Our values, our morals, and our character are built on who Christ says we are and calls us to be.


None of us are perfect, and we all make mistakes, but we are being sanctified daily. If you are actively walking with God, we should be becoming more like Jesus each and every day.


So, tying that back into media, what we post is a reflection of not only our character but also our heart and our main focuses.


Honestly Consider:

Are you posting in a manner to fit in?

Are you using verbiage to make you sound cool and get comments?

Are your clothing and pose choices to get more views?

Are you sacrificing your standards and testimony with the explicit music that you sync?

And the main question...are you pointing people to Jesus?


Now hear me out. This does not mean you shouldn't post unless it is directly about Jesus, but I encourage you to ask yourself, what is the message that your content is portraying? Let that be your deciding factor. Will you post it, or will you choose to not?


Social media can be an incredible tool for encouraging others, sharing our passions, celebrating accomplishments, and pointing people toward what is good. So before you hit "Post," don't ask, "Will this get likes?" Instead ask:


Does this reflect the person God has called me to be?


Your greatest testimony isn't your profile. It's about how you live in all the moments in between and reflect God in everything you do, which includes the consistency between your online presence, your public life, and your private character. That is a reputation worth building, and trust me, it is so much fun when people ask why you are different because you get to point to God and share about His saving grace and love.


An Awakening Illustration

Phones can be our greatest asset or greatest enemy. They have become a crutch to society. Instead of laughter filling the house, the busy chatter around a campus, or intentional conversations across a table, silence hangs in the air, heads are down, and a phone or device can be seen in every hand. Imagine what our great-great grandparents would think about us. What used to be an intentional morning with family breakfast and Bible time is now replaced with scattered family members checking their notifications. Thoughtful conversations and planned social hangouts have been replaced with scrolling social media to "catch up" with people. Instagram followers are mistaken as “friends”, and with a click of a button, still, not a conversation is exchanged. No wonder we live in a society that yearns for connection and community, yet they are paralyzed by their own screen. No wonder everyone struggles with isolation and comparison when all we do is look at other people’s lives and unknowingly envy what they have when most of the time, it is just a highlight reel. We think we know people when really, when was the last time you asked them how they really were? When was the last time we were honest and shared the long version of the story? When was the last time that you reached out to check on a friend? When was the last time we turned off our phone and had a conversation with someone without relying on our phones to show pictures or facilitate that interaction? You can have 1,000 snapchat conversations and 100 random photo exchanges without even a clue of who the person is deep down. We have grown accustomed to having so many things at our fingertips and have grown to not rely on our own creativity for conversationalism, and we lack the humility to inquire and prioritize another person. While is a hard cycle in reality to break, it can be broken. What if we were more intentional with our time? What if we put more effort into pursuing friendships? What if we were thoughtful enough to reach out to someone? Just imagine what life could look like. Imagine how much time we would have! God has given us life and time, but both are limited. How will we steward that gift and live boldly on a mission? 


Setting Your Boundaries

This looks different for every person depending on your age, stage of life, and career path. We all have different convictions on how we treat and use social media, and this includes how frequently we are on it. Personally, having timers on social media has changed my life because no matter how disciplined you are, it is still a temptation. Praying about the decision to reduce your time or delete the apps all together is the best advice anyone can give because God will let you know how He wants you to steward our time.