When people hear “Facebook” or “Twitter” in conversation, they are not automatically put into a professional mindset. The social networking tools available to anyone with a computer and Internet access are becoming more and more involved in not only places of employment, but also in the act of finding a job. It is important to understand the power that these networking sites have and utilize them to their fullest extent.
If you’re a college student without a Facebook account, many would consider you out of the loop. Students are most likely using their profiles to upload pictures from weekend festivities, to write on friends’ walls about their recent unhealthy New Moon addiction (guilty) and to gawk at the failed relationship update of the day with a roommate. Granted, college students are still in college and not necessarily putting a job-search at the top of their priority lists. But there are some things you can do to edit your Facebook page in case a future employer just happens to cross your path- or in this case- profile. Have you already landed an interview? Use this checklist to ensure you won’t be dropped from the job before you even start.
· Change your picture settings to private. This seems like a given, but it is intriguing to see the number of users who have or are looking for professional jobs that upload their tail-gating or party-bussing pictures smack-dab in the middle of their Facebook profiles. Yes, it’s true that employers like to see that you have a human side, but know that there are some unwritten boundaries and, more importantly, where those boundaries lie.
· Make sure your profile picture is job-appropriate. No one is asking you to sit down with a portrait photographer, but be cautious. Have your profile picture be something very neutral and in a natural, personal setting. If you’re into sports, put up one from Sunday’s football game. Big on traveling? How about a photo from your recent trip to Italy? Forget the pictures from that big frat party and opt for something that conveys an honest and exclusive message of who you are and what you like to do.
· Monitor your wall postings. It is not uncommon for one of your Facebook pals to write or post something inappropriate on your wall. It’s very easy to forget that not only are you connecting with classmates and hometown friends, but also parents, professors, and sometimes employers. If your profile is not secured as “private,” anyone browsing the Facebook community can see what is on your wall. We can all use the occasional good laugh at a YouTube video, but not at our own expense. With this being said, if someone posts something on your wall that you wouldn’t want a future boss to see, be quick with the mouse and delete it. Friends are often a reflection of you. Make sure your reflection is not unwillingly tainted by others.
· Pay attention to your own updates. I went on an interview this summer at a PR firm that focuses mainly on social media marketing. The founder of the business told me that he learns a lot from the people that he interviews prior to the interview itself. He immediately glosses over their Facebook and Twitter updates in order to learn what kind of person he will be interviewing. He has taught himself over the years- with the help of these social networking site updates- to filter out the people that are lazy, uninterested, self-centered, undetermined, etc. And he is almost always right. Next time you update your Facebook status, choose something witty or interesting rather than a complaint or irritation since you never know who is reading.
Nearly half of all hiring managers are using social networking sites to find potential new hires, according to recent surveys. That’s up from last year when 22 percent admitted using online media for recruitment purposes. Another 26 percent of employers are pre-screening job candidates using their social media sites (Terri Mrosko, The Plain Dealer). Taking the time to fix up your Facebook page will undoubtedly help you reap benefits in the long run. Make Facebook work for you and who knows- maybe you’ll even get some work out of it, too.
Any other suggestions for social media-using job-seekers? I’m interested in your feedback!
By: Laura Pinter, Flexhire associate.
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