Breaking up has always been hard to do. But social media makes it… all the more complicated.

Communication researchers looked at how people decide whether to delete or keep something following the end of a romantic relationship and how these decisions affect their ability to move on.

Their findings? People often carry out “relational cleansing” by hiding their status, deleting photos, and scrubbing old posts after a breakup.

People who were more nostalgic were more likely to keep those digital objects, and that preservation made it harder to adjust to the relationship’s end.

Bottom line? Social media can make (or break) our own personal narrative. And it’s easy to obsess over it.

As a recruiter, I’m thinking about this in terms of “breakups” with employers. What’s the messaging in removing one employer from your LinkedIn or Facebook profile and adding another? Carlos Ledo, Assistant General Counsel and HR consultant for Engage PEO suggests a positive approach. “The goal is to show your former employer appreciation for the opportunity you were given and leave the door open for a potential future return” he says.

So yes – much like a relationship breakup – Stay Classy.

If you need help in the (breakup) resignation process and/or finding your next match, give me a shout!

#career #breakups #resignation