Facebook is an awesome social networking tool that enables users to stay connected with friends, but the downside is that almost everyone is on Facebook, including my 71-year-old grandmother. Moreover, we live in a voyeuristic society. People are searching to find information about others and many are guilty of TMI – too much information— through Facebook. With that in mind, it’s important to be cautious and cognizant of our Facebook content.
The social network is a resource for people searching for roommates, learning about a new friend and most importantly, seeking employees. According to a study in 2009, employers are using social networks to screen job candidates and eliminate them from consideration because of information found on their pages such as:
• Information about alcohol or drug use
• Inappropriate photos or information posted on a candidate’s page
• Poor communication skills
• Unprofessional screen names
Although you won’t find the bullets above on my Facebook profile, I decided that in addition to changing the privacy settings on my profile, I would create two profiles, one for my personal life and the other for professional use. Perception is key, and although I don’t have anything to hide, I’d like to prevent scrutiny over a vacation photo or for remarks made on my personal profile.
Each individual uses social networking sites for various reasons, but it’s important to keep in mind that the posts we make on Facebook can inhibit our employment searches, harm our careers and damage our professional reputations. Here are a few tips for keeping your Facebook profile employer-friendly and an article on how to use Facebook without losing your job over it, which includes information on setting up a personal and professional profile.
As design director at Cookerly, Tim serves as the creative lead in the development of branding campaigns, print collateral and digital media for clients across a broad range of industries, including consumer, professional services, healthcare and technology.
As a senior vice president at Cookerly, Mike Rieman is a strategic communications leader specializing in media relations and reputation management. With a proven track record of securing high-profile placements in top-tier outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNN and USA Today, he excels at crafting compelling narratives that resonate across print, broadcast and digital platforms.
Mike Touhill is vice president at Cookerly Public Relations, where he helps lead traditional, social and digital media programs for B2B and B2C clients in packaging, telecommunications and technology, among other industries. As a communication leader, he develops and executes public relations strategy, provides proactive and reactive counsel to C-level executives and secures earned media coverage for client initiatives and product.
Andrew Agan is a vice president at Cookerly Public Relations, overseeing the agency’s internship program and leading media relations, content strategy and social media initiatives. He provides counsel and executes campaigns for clients across various sectors, including finance, healthcare, hospitality, technology, automotive and many others. Andrew excels at crafting compelling stories and building media relationships, resulting in clients being featured in notable outlets such as CNBC, Associated Press, Business Insider, Fox Business, HBO, Inc. Magazine, Sirius XM, The Wall Street Journal and USA Today, among others.
As vice president of Cookerly, Sheryl Sellaway uses her extensive corporate communications background to lead consumer PR efforts, deliver strategy for marketing programs and share expertise about community initiatives.