Do our jobs exist in a vacuum, separate from the social media era we live in? Of course not. Having worked through both periods, I’ve seen firsthand how the digital landscape has fundamentally changed the way we work, communicate, and present ourselves.

The way it was... 

I remember the days before social media—I was there. Communication felt more direct and contained. If your supervisor needed you, they called you into their office for a quick chat. An email was enough to handle administrative tasks, and everything else happened in face-to-face meetings.

Back then, privacy was simpler. You could keep your personal life entirely separate without being seen as "weird" for not sharing photos. If you had a hobby or a side-interest that wasn't "office-appropriate," you could keep it to yourself, and no one was the wiser.

However, it wasn't all perfect. The biggest disadvantage of that era was the limited reach of your professional network. Your career "bubble" was very small. If you were looking for a new job, you were restricted to your immediate circle or physical job postings.

Furthermore, because there was no public network to verify your experience, it was easier for people to "stretch" the truth on their CVs. While this helped some people get jobs, it lacked the transparency we have today.

The way it is now....

Today, everything is visible—which is a double-edged sword. LinkedIn has changed the game; you can build a high-level network "from nowhere," and thousands of recruiters can see your profile. This is perhaps the most significant advantage of the modern era.

But this transparency comes with a price. We have to be incredibly careful about our digital footprint. In a previous role, HR even held a full-day workshop on how to manage our LinkedIn profiles so we wouldn't "embarrass" the company. Even in interviews now, HR managers check your profile to see if your digital presence is "proper." Your personal life is also at risk; one "tagged" photo from a friend while you are on sick leave can lead to an embarrassing conversation with your boss.

Technology has also changed how we collaborate. While we have endless meetings on Microsoft Teams, nothing truly replaces sitting in a physical room for important decisions.

I’ve noticed that some managers now spend more time chatting on Teams than talking in person. When a leader posts updates constantly, it’s easy to miss vital information because you are busy doing the actual work. Ironically, the tools meant to keep us informed can sometimes create more noise than clarity.

The Verdict

Despite the "noise," technology offers a huge sense of relief. Being able to participate via Teams from anywhere means you never have to miss an important discussion.

Technology has undeniably made our professional lives easier and opened doors that were previously locked. However, we must be more mindful than ever of the new challenges regarding privacy and focus. We are more connected than ever, but we must ensure we don't lose the human touch in the process.