Social media is being used all around the world for professional purposes as well as personal. As the main form of communication for some people, it’s important to understand how Israelis use the various platforms, and what’s acceptable and what’s not in the workplace and business world.
WhatsApp for work communication
Israel is a country built on informality and this extends to social media use in the workplace as well. WhatsApp is often the main method of business communication, especially when a quick or brief response is warranted. WhatsApps are often sent after – or before! – work hours. Depending on company culture, you may not need to respond to them right away, or it may be sufficient to reply that you have seen the message and will deal with it during work hours. Other workplaces may expect that you are responsive even when you are not in the office.
In order to stay efficient while respecting the WhatsApp work culture, you will want to use WhatsApp web or download WhatsApp to your computer, so you can quickly type responses and copy task requests into the task management software you use.
Keep in mind that your profile picture and statuses are being viewed by work colleagues as well as your friends and stick to pictures and content you feel comfortable sharing with people you work with.
Private messages on social media sites
Potential clients might reach out via Facebook, headhunters will contact you on LinkedIn and you will get questions on Instagram. Israelis don’t limit their business interactions to email and WhatsApp. Whatever accounts you have need to be periodically monitored, in case someone has reached out to you and is awaiting a response. If you take too long to respond, the contact will likely move on and contact someone else.
Don’t slander a former employer or a business
Slander laws are very strict in Israel, so if you post something negative about a business you open yourself up to a lawsuit, even if the information you shared is 100% true. Potential employers will also look at your social media to get a sense of who you are, and you don’t want to be seen as difficult and hard to work with. As your mother used to say, “If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything.”
Be aware of your company’s social media policies
Your company may have policies about what you can post on your own social media about the company. They may also have policies about using social media while you’re at work. Some Israeli workplaces even shut down access to social media sites on their browsers to minimize distractions during work hours. Make sure you know what’s acceptable and what’s not at your workplace, and act accordingly.
Post only what you don’t mind a potential employer seeing
Israeli employers are looking at the social media accounts of potential hires and current employees. If you’re freelancing, prospective clients will check you out on social media before deciding whether to work with you. Be mindful of what you post and whether it shows you in the best light. You want to avoid bad language, inappropriate pictures, anything that can be interpreted as racist, consistent negativity, rudeness or support for violence.
Use of social media is just one way in which professional interactions might be different in Israel as opposed to your home country. We’ve demystified some of this for you in Israeli Company Culture (and Your Culture Shock) and Business Culture in Israel. We also recommend that you read our free e-book, Your Route to Career Success in Israel.