For some, Facebook is a natural extension of your career and personal brand, adding value to your story. For others, Facebook is a locked-down arsenal used solely to swap pictures and personal updates with your innermost circle.
For careerists who have chosen the second option, you may want to reconsider your strategy. Being hidden from potential hiring decision makers, influencers, opinion leaders and recruiters may result in missed opportunities.
According to The Undercover Recruiter, there are 1.1 billion users per month on Facebook; and, of recruiters using Facebook, 85% would recommend Facebook as a tool to other recruiters.
So, if you want to be seen professionally beyond your own inner circle, you might consider being more “Facebook public.’”Some ways to do this:
1. Set Your Privacy Settings to Public.
- Remember, being ‘public’ means everything you publish to Facebook will be seen by anyone who searches your name and profile, so if you choose this setting, you will obviously want to be prudent with your posts.
- However, cautious (but authentic) posting may net positive results. By creating a public Facebook persona, you may mesh your values with those hunting for new talent.
- And in today’s workplace environment, where culture fit is an important attribute valued by employees and employers, a casual, easy-to-inform and simple to access venue like Facebook is attractive.
2. Maintain Poise and Professionalism, But Let Your Hair Down Just a Little.
- While LinkedIn’s reputation is more ‘strictly professional,’ Facebook’s reputation is somewhat casual. And while you may envision Facebook as primarily a platform for selfies, vacation photos and first-day-of-school mug shots, this vision could be shortsighted.
- A multiplicity of professionals on Facebook blend their business with personal, painting a richer, more vibrant picture of their likability.
- So, if you are someone who is comfortable blending business with personal, your ability to connect with someone over a cafe mocha and picture of your kids can lead to more than just chit chat. Just as in other networking venues where connections over common interests lead to job referrals and hiring opportunities, Facebook conversations can transition from light-hearted to business-serious, over time. Think, organic relationship building.
3. Start Posting, Regularly.
- Facebook is an incredible venue to market your career value “goods.” Whether you post regular (daily or weekly) updates to your own wall that drive home your experience, knowledge and expertise, or you engage in meaningful conversations on other Facebook friends’ pages, you can create buzz around your brand.
- As well, if publish a professional blog that would extend your message to potential hiring decision makers or influencers in your industry, you can share your posts with your Facebook stream, further expanding your visibility.
- Introducing and sharing other colleagues’, opinion leaders’ and experts’ blogs and articles also extends your value while fortifying relationships with influential others.
3 Ways To Make Facebook Your Friend During Your Job Search is a post from: Glassdoor Blog
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