Facebook is a great social networking platform and can be used for many positive reasons. You can reconnect with friends and family, share photos, ideas, and videos, and use it as a marketing tool in your job search. When using Facebook, though, there are some things that you should keep in mind.
Here are Critical Facebook Dos and Don’ts.
Dos
Use Facebook as a place to connect with people within your company, organization, professional field, university, community, group, business, family, etc. It’s a great platform for communication, sending and receiving ideas and documents, and networking during your job search. You can even connect with companies by liking their Facebook page so that you can learn important information regarding their business and stay abreast of job opportunities.
Don’t
Post inappropriate pictures of yourself or let yourself be tagged by friends in non-professional photos. You don’t want your colleagues, boss, or subordinates to see you partying or engaging in inappropriate activities.
These types of pictures present a negative image of yourself and ruin your professional reputation. Or, even worse, it can cause complaints about your character. This could result in your dismissal from the company.
You have the option of strengthening your privacy settings on your Facebook account so that only your Facebook friends can see certain things. Still, the only way to be certain that unprofessional pictures or posts won’t make their way to your boss’ eyes is to eliminate them.
Do
Use Facebook as a useful marketing tool. You can use Facebook to search for jobs, acquire new contacts within your industry, and foster new professional relationships. It is a great way to advertise yourself and get the word out about upcoming events, campaigns, and your job hunt.
If you are self-employed, you can also create a separate Facebook page to promote your business. This can be a great method to market and grow your business. Facebook users can become fans of your page, and you can keep your fans updated about events and promotions in your company.
Don’t
Write anything that you feel like. Remember that what you write on Facebook will be seen by many people, not just friends and family. You may need to sensor yourself. Even though Facebook tends to have rules regarding foul and offensive language, remember to abstain from this at all costs.
Nothing says unprofessional like swearing like a sailor. Don’t speak about inappropriate subjects, including insulting your boss, making fun of your job, or talking about anything offensive or cruel. If you wouldn’t feel comfortable saying it in a job interview, don’t say it on Facebook.
Facebook can be a great place to socialize, network, market your brand, and connect with people. Facebook can be a great tool for projecting your professional profile and helping you in your job search when used properly.
What other social media tips can you offer fellow job seekers? Comment and share below! If you need additional help, reach out to Candace to learn more!