Hello everyone!
This week, I learned how to create a professional Facebook page about myself! I've had a Facebook profile for years now, but this was the first time I created a page. While your profile is personal and informal, showing your status updates, photos, and comments from your friends, a page is more business orientated, and can be used to promote yourself. We've all heard stories about employers researching their applicants, and rejecting some after seeing their Facebook page. But have no fear! With Facebook privacy settings, you can safely keep your personal profile from prying eyes, and potential employers. At the same time, you can still promote yourself using your public profile, which contains an online resume and contact information (without the embarrassing photos). Below is a screenshot of my page, and feel free to visit me on
Facebook!
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| My Facebook Page, uploaded from Flickr |
An article on the
New York Times Bits blog shows that 45% of employers use social networking sites to screen applicants, and of those, 35% were turned down due to the content on those sites. This article was written in 2009, and since then, the numbers have probably increased. When we are on the internet, it is easy to forget who might be reading the things that we post. That is one of the biggest advantages of Facebook. It allows you to be free to voice your own opinions, and relax when communicating with your friends on your profile, while still maintaining a professional image on your page. It can act as an online resume, and so much more. You can edit and personalize your page to market yourself the way you want to be seen. You can post your credentials and accomplishments as well as your hobbies and personal interests, allowing people to get to know and understand you better. Rather than friends, your page can have fans, who can like you, and receive updates of what you are doing. For those who have their own businesses, Facebook pages are also good ways to market new ideas, inform fans of promotions, and also obtain feedback on how they are doing. As you can see from the many advantages of having a page, it is something definitely worth trying.
Thank you everyone, for reading my blog, and come check out my fellow classmate
Cassandra's blog, and how she plans on making use of her Facebook page!
So remember everyone, before you post something online, ask yourself - who can read this?
Wow, those statistics from the New York Times blog really show how important social media is getting, especially if it can effect one's ability to get a job! I think creating a page that promotes yourself professionally that potential employers can see is a great idea, instead of them seeing your more private information. This way you know you are giving off a good first impression, at least online.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your blog. I think it is important to keep your social media pages professional because of the statistics you said. It is kinda intimidating to think that there is little privacy in social media. Regardless I think your right that it can also be used to push ones self further in the professional world.
ReplyDelete