Free Advice
Top Ten Facebook Tips
Are you fearful that your future employer will reconsider you as a new-hire candidate based on what they might find out about you on your online profile? Although having a Facebook account may be somewhat of a handicap to those trying to gain respect in the business world, for some, having this accessible networking tool is too tempting a commodity to forego. Here are 10 fundamental tips you can take to keep a profile and still avoid risking your career!
1. Privacy settings, shmivacy settings.
Of course, it’s a good idea to limit who you allow to look at your online profile. Making yourself private to people who aren’t your “friends”, however, doesn’t mean that employers can’t find you. Your boss may even ask that you show them your page.
2. Change your name.
If you can avoid posting your full name, it may make it difficult for a future employer to find you. Consider a nickname or a first and middle name instead of your first and last name.
3. Think twice about posting those digits.
You should consider omitting any other information that can confirm to an employer that this virtual alias is, in fact, you. It may be best to part with things your future employer knows as yours, such as your email address, residence, or phone number.
4. A picture can speak 1,000 words.
Don’t want a potential boss to see your latest Spring Break bikini-contest-winning photos? Don’t post ‘em! Think about what an employer may think of you after seeing some of the racy pictures linked to your name.
5. Some things are better left unsaid.
Scan your ‘About Me’ section for entries that could be taken the wrong way. Suppose you really do enjoy ‘smoking blunts with the hommies’: would you say that in an interview? Resist attempts to describe yourself in a humorous way if it will give off a bad depiction of you.
6. To “confirm” or to “ignore”?
In the real world, the hobbies you enjoy and the organizations you join define you. Who’s to say you’re not defined by the groups you join in the virtual world? It might seem fun to be in the “Help I’m addicted to Sex, and Im taking application for those who want to help” group, but it might not generate the same sentiment to a job recruiter.
7. Remember what your parents said.
Have you ever been advised not to talk politics for chance that you might offend someone? You wouldn’t want your hirer to judge you because of your political affiliation.
8. Graffiti.
Maybe you were careful about everything you posted about yourself. What happens, though, if your best friend decides to remind not only you of the unforgettable, embarrassing drunk episode last night at the bar, but EVERYONE in your virtual social network with a simple wall post? You may want to routinely scan the messages people post on your page and delete the things you don’t want other people knowing.
9. You’re Fired.
Suppose you passed the test. The company thinks you’re the best candidate for the job, missing the photo album you posted of your bong collection. Being proud your new job, you list it under your employment section - which conveniently sends red flag into cyberspace, firmly connecting your name to the company’s: right alongside your bong chronicles.
10. Double Dipping.
You get paid to work, correct? So, do it. The best way to lose a job on account of Facebook could be logging on while you should be working. Save Facebook activities for your time off on your personal computer.
If Facebook is a favorite hobby of yours, you shouldn’t have to get rid of it in order to be successful professionally. These tips may not be enough to save you all, but some careful consideration about how you broadcast yourself on the
world wide web could be the key to getting, or losing, the job.
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