Remember the old adage: Keep your friends close and your enemies closer? It’s thought-provoking and maybe just a little scary. When it comes to your Facebook page and social media presence, it’s also pretty critical to keep it in mind.
To ensure your professionalism in the eyes of current and potential employers, you need to understand how Facebook friendships work – and choose yours carefully.
It’s a Huge Facebook World.
More than 1.1 billion people have Facebook pages – and 56 percent of employers check their applicants’ social media presence before making a hiring decision.
Social media has revolutionized the way the world communicates. With just a click or two, users – authorized or not – can access your personal information, pictures, conversations and posts.
Choose Your Friends Carefully.
If you’re unsure about whether to initiate or accept a Facebook friend request, it’s advisable to err on the side of caution.
- Avoid friending anyone who might post inappropriate comments on your wall or send inappropriate invitations or group requests. When you tap into the network of a friend, your connections don’t stop there. Potentially, your information can be viewed by anyone with a Facebook account. And, photos and other information can be copied, pasted and distributed even beyond social media boundaries.
- Do not accept friend requests from people you don’t know. This is a good rule to practice, even if you share mutual friends. “Hanging out” with the wrong on-line crowd can be just as detrimental – or even worse – than keeping the wrong real-world company.
Don’t Let Your Guard Down.
It can be so easy – and it only takes a moment – to post an item on your Facebook wall in a moment of stress, frustration, anger or simple fatigue. But remember: Published content immediately becomes public information.
- Only display on Facebook what you’d feel comfortable displaying on your desk or in your living room. If those high-test emotions start to kick in, step away from the keyboard.
- Think first. You’ve heard this advice before as a way to avoid potentially costly errors or missteps. Listen again – and follow it – when it comes to your social media persona.
Know Your Privacy Settings.
Facebook sets privacy settings for users’ protection – but keep in mind that these settings may change from time to time. Stay current with them, in order to help secure your online image and reputation.
- Lists are another valuable safeguard. By assigning friends of your choosing to lists that you create, you determine which of your information they can access. So, spend some time learning how to effectively navigate your Facebook account, including list and privacy setting features.
Less is More.
A good rule of thumb when it comes to publishing text, photos or other information on social media is: Keep it simple, minimal and professional, even on a “friendly” site like Facebook. There’s a good chance that your future employer may one day see it.
To learn more about tailoring your social persona to your job search, and other steps to boost your career path moving forward, give the team at Premium Staffing a call today. Or Contact Us online! We are more than happy to discuss any questions you may have.