Everyone knows that even in the entertainment industry, a career minded professional should clear her web profile of all fun and foolery, and focus on broadcasting her personal brand to all of her online followers, right? 

This warning is the first piece of advice about social media you'll read in 21st century career books. And it's dead wrong. My own life and career proves it.

They tell you not to talk about your lunch on Twitter or post cat photos on Facebook. They tell you that as soon as you leave college you must scrub your web footprint clean of all personality, or else you'll be seen as unprofessional.

In a world where large companies and celebrities flock to Twitter to showcase a fake human side, they tell you, an actual human to box your unique voice and adopt a corporate communications strategy when connecting online.

That cynical advice ignores the most powerful aspect of social media for individuals - by being authentic you can win friends around the world. 

If you care about your career, here's a quote you should tat on your arm:

"All things being equal, people will work with people they like. All things not being equal, they still will".

That principle is why I have my current job today.