The do's and don'ts of Facebook
Maria Gonzalez
Issue date: 11/2/09 Section: Entertainment
Social networking websites such as Facebook have become a common part of our daily lives. Many of us rely on Facebook for communication, venting out frustrations, or even for classes. What many may not think about when posting day-to-day updates are potential employers critiquing or judging potential employees based on their Facebook account. Here are a few tips on how to not let your social network site influence a potential employer in a negative way.
First off, a profile picture should be neutral if not professional. This doesn't necessarily mean that the picture is going to be boring, but keep provocative and cartoony pictures tucked away where the world cannot see them. Remember, as an employee or future employee you are carrying the name of whatever company you work for. Provocative pictures never look good, especially when you can run the risk of future clients seeing your profile as well.
In addition to personal pictures, it is wise to be cautious of the pictures friends post as well. If a majority of a person's friends are posting pictures that can be considered 'too sexy' then it's possible that employers will view you as a spitting image of your friends. While it is impossible to prevent all friends from posting pictures of their choice, it is possible to prevent who is allowed to see a person's list of friends. Take advantage of the privacy settings that Facebook offers.
If you do want your profile to be visible to everyone, be safe in the choices you make. For instance, sharing personal information such as interest in photography, Latin American history, and origami is okay. However, showing personal addresses, names of children or children's pictures may not be a good idea, because you never know who or why someone is viewing your profile.
As for the wall on Facebook, it is possible to openly display it but out of common courtesy, don't make plans with people through wall posts. Save personal plans for personal emails or phone calls. If you've been invited to an event and plan to go, send an email or text message straight to the person that invited you versus announcing your plans and confirmation on your wall, because you never know who may also be viewing the plans.
Many do find it difficult to have a profile on a social network and to keep it professional at all times is rough, however, there is the option of having two profiles.
Many people keep one profile strictly for personal friends and the other strictly for professional business networking and coworkers. When keeping two profiles, you would still have to make sure your picture, if viewable to everyone, is appropriate and everything on your personal profile is private, while your professional profile can remain public, or if desired, private.
According to Careerbuilder.com, 20 percent of companies admit to checking social networking sites such as Facebook and Myspace in order to weed out potential employees, and 24 percent were hired based on their social networking site. So when applying for a job, remember to check your Facebook account for any problems, because your future job may depend on it.
First off, a profile picture should be neutral if not professional. This doesn't necessarily mean that the picture is going to be boring, but keep provocative and cartoony pictures tucked away where the world cannot see them. Remember, as an employee or future employee you are carrying the name of whatever company you work for. Provocative pictures never look good, especially when you can run the risk of future clients seeing your profile as well.
In addition to personal pictures, it is wise to be cautious of the pictures friends post as well. If a majority of a person's friends are posting pictures that can be considered 'too sexy' then it's possible that employers will view you as a spitting image of your friends. While it is impossible to prevent all friends from posting pictures of their choice, it is possible to prevent who is allowed to see a person's list of friends. Take advantage of the privacy settings that Facebook offers.
If you do want your profile to be visible to everyone, be safe in the choices you make. For instance, sharing personal information such as interest in photography, Latin American history, and origami is okay. However, showing personal addresses, names of children or children's pictures may not be a good idea, because you never know who or why someone is viewing your profile.
As for the wall on Facebook, it is possible to openly display it but out of common courtesy, don't make plans with people through wall posts. Save personal plans for personal emails or phone calls. If you've been invited to an event and plan to go, send an email or text message straight to the person that invited you versus announcing your plans and confirmation on your wall, because you never know who may also be viewing the plans.
Many do find it difficult to have a profile on a social network and to keep it professional at all times is rough, however, there is the option of having two profiles.
Many people keep one profile strictly for personal friends and the other strictly for professional business networking and coworkers. When keeping two profiles, you would still have to make sure your picture, if viewable to everyone, is appropriate and everything on your personal profile is private, while your professional profile can remain public, or if desired, private.
According to Careerbuilder.com, 20 percent of companies admit to checking social networking sites such as Facebook and Myspace in order to weed out potential employees, and 24 percent were hired based on their social networking site. So when applying for a job, remember to check your Facebook account for any problems, because your future job may depend on it.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
George
posted 11/02/09 @ 6:37 PM CST
So are there really 300 million people on Facebook, or just profiles. If everyone has 2 profiles then there are only 150 million actual people on there. (Continued…)
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