Seven Things You Shouldn't Tell a Supervisor

We live in an extremely connected, social world. With the increased use of social media sites like Facebook and LinkedIn and mobile apps that allow you to let you check in and update everyone with your whereabouts, it's hard to keep your personal life to yourself. Whether you're looking for a job or currently employed, maintaining separation between your work life and the rest of your life is so important. These days, hiring managers and even bosses don't think twice about doing a web search on applicants and employees. Once they have access to all of your Facebook photos and status updates, they will judge you based on the information they find. Many people seem to be in a sort of denial about how much they share and what kind of impact it makes. For example, if you post photos from your niece's birthday party and in the background of the shot there are adults holding red Silo cups, your boss might assume that you spend your weekends drinking with friends – even though the cups may have simply been filled with fruit punch.

While it's tempting to share bits and pieces of your life with your co-workers and even mention these things in front of your boss – just don't do it. You can't be sure that the information you so casually share won't be held against you and even cost you a job.

Here are seven things you shouldn't tell a supervisor or hiring manager:

Your religious affiliation: Whether you go to church regularly or you don't identify with any major religion, keep it out of the workplace. Of course, most of us know that it's considered bad manners to talk about religion at work. Even something as small as asking for donations for your church's community project or selling candy for the youth group is a no-no. No matter what your supervisor’s religious beliefs are, sharing yours can backfire horribly. If they don't share your beliefs, they could judge you negatively and if they do share them, they might judge you for any conduct that they don't think is appropriate. You can't win here, so keep your spiritual life out of the office.

Your living situation: Your boss, or potential boss, doesn't need to know anything about your living situation. They don't need to know that you still live with your parents, with roommates or that you're married and own a home. All they need to know is that you come to work when you're scheduled.

What you do after work: It doesn't matter if you enjoy partying with your friends on weekends or if your nights are filled with baths and bedtime stories – it's none of your boss's business. As much as possible, don't discuss what you do when you aren't at work. If they ask you to work extra hours or come in on a Saturday and you can't, all you have to say is that you have previous plans at home. There's no need to explain what the plans are or to justify why they are important.

Your political views or affiliations: Especially during heated elections, it's challenging to keep your political views to yourself. It's so easy to make small talk about political candidates, but remember that what feels like casual conversation can reveal a great deal about what political group you belong to. The same goes for discussions about political or world events. When these topics are brought up in conversation, it's best to make only brief, non-committal responses.

Your family's income: Your boss knows how much money you make at your job, but beyond that, they don't need to know how much money your spouse earns or about any other sources of income you might have. It may not seem like a big deal, but if you have investment income or a high earning spouse, your boss might assume that you don't need a raise or aren't interested in a promotion. In the worst case scenario, when making cutbacks, your supervisor might let you go first, thinking that you don't need the income as badly as another employee.

Any part-time jobs or freelance work: Many companies take a negative view of their employees moonlighting or doing freelance work. As long as it's not against your company's policy, you don't need to share this information with your supervisor. The only time it's appropriate to mention another job is to your part-time employer. You can let them know that you have a full-time job in order to share your scheduling needs, but otherwise, keep things separate.

Any previous or current mental health issues: This is a big one. Don't discuss any mental health problems that you have had in the past or that you're currently dealing with. If you need time off for therapy appointments or other treatment, simply say that you have a doctor's appointment. Even if you aren't seeking treatment, don't mention that you are going through a difficult time, like a stressful divorce. You don't want your boss to think that you aren't able to do your job or that your mental health issue will affect your work.

Keeping your personal life separate from your work life can be difficult. Just keep in mind that any information you share can be used against you. As a professional, it's best to leave your personal life at the door and keep your business relationships focused on work.

What other things do you think should be kept to yourself? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

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