The Pope has been chosen. With media sites on fire with Pope related news the last few weeks since the retirement of Pope Pontifax, we can finally settle down and relax with the Pope stuff.

Or can we? Should we?

Anyways, to say that the list of people applying to become the next Pope was short would be an understatement. Go even further and know that that list can be dwindled down even further – just ask Bonifacius Steuer. Steuer was overlooked thanks to revealing information against him and his Papal candidacy. Back in 2007, Steuer engaged in a seventy-two-hour romp throughout Florida with a Facebook album entitled, “Tampa Phun.”

As ridiculous as that album name is, it goes without saying that spelling is the least of Steuer’s concerns. The man was up for a position as the Pope and his social media account cost him his position, proving that employers (even if sitting on a lofty cloud) can Passover your application.

I think that, at this point, it should be a given that anything deemed even remotely scandalous should be totally wiped from one’s Facebook page upon starting a new job. It would be akin to Charlie Sheen showcasing a path of psychosis before he was even considered as a lead for “Two and a Half Men.” You may have the talent to back up what you say but people won’t choose you if first impressions aren’t promising.

Even if you weren’t going about a paying job position and working towards an internship, there’s a modicum of decency that should be seen. If I were hiring people and I saw an album chockfull of Spring Break photos without much else in the way – I would be a little more than skeptical choosing them. Steurer’s story is what I’d like to refer to as a poor, more self-contained version of reputation management.

Even though it doesn’t take a genius to know one, it’s clear that Steuer is in the wrong and one step further from the Vatican. As of now, what to do with your social media pages while looking for jobs should be common knowledge but there are those whom neglect obvious points:

1. Remove any incriminating photos of yourself, no matter how far in the past they were. You might be a changed person from those days but how is that going to sway an employer, who has no personal connection to you? A very thorough cleaning, in this regard, is recommended.

2. If you attain a job position, be careful of the posts you make in the future. If you want to take pictures of your French Bulldog wearing a tutu and put them up for your friends to see, feel free to do so. However, determining improper photos to post should be as obvious as picking out a rotting piece of fruit before irrationally sinking your teeth into it.

3. There is a fine line between work and play and alternate Facebook or Twitter accounts can help support that line. If you simply cannot live without putting up pictures of yourself with a group of friends, drinks in your hands, make sure the page can’t be easily searched by anyone other than friends. Create a page specifically designed for work if you can’t help yourself.