Don’t Let Facebook Ruin Your Job Prospects

Maintaining your privacy on Social Media websites, like Facebook and Instagram is important, but even more so when you are searching for a job. If you’re not careful, a potential employer can see everything you post, which can sometimes cost you the job you want. Since pretty much everyone is on Facebook, it’s crucial to take the time to manage your profile so that what you post is only seen by who you want to see it.  Remember…”you never have a second chance to make a first impression.”  Your character and good name is the only thing in life you truly have control over.

Here are a few rules and tips on how you can do that:

The general rule of thumb when it comes to Facebook: don’t post anything you wouldn’t want you current or potential employer to see. Avoid or delete any derogatory comments from your wall or profile. Untag photos that portray you in a negative light, such as photos of you partying or drinking with friends. Manage the privacy settings on your photo albums, which control who gets to see your photos. Also, delete any of your friends’ distasteful comments from your wall. Take a look at the apps on your wall and ask yourself if they serve a functional purpose, and if they portray you well. There are certain apps that may not be the best ones to have, “like Nightclub City,” for instance.

Lastly, managing your privacy settings is the most important move you can make. Go to your settings and adjust them accordingly. Make sure only friends can see your photos, your religious or political views, and your posts. On your privacy settings, you can also use the “preview” function to test this out. It allows you to see what the outside world sees when they access your Facebook profile.  And don’t be blase and think if you simply “go private” the outside world can’t see.  There is always a backdoor and hiring managers know how to find it.

Remember, just as social media is being used as a tool to hire people, it is also being used as a method to weed out potential candidates. You don’t want anything you put up for the world to see to come back and haunt you. When you are out there looking for a job, make sure your Facebook and other social networking profiles portray you in the best light possible.  Ready to jump start your job search?  Go to:

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