This is what a real-life friend recently told me. As it turns out, many of my real life friends, in fact most of them, not only avoid online social networking, but are actually afraid of it.
Many people worry that engaging in online social networking, especially on Facebook, will some day prove to be a terrible mistake that would prevent them from getting a job. They have this image of Facebook as a wild place filled with photos of drunk naked people that are some day going to lose their jobs because of their shallow status updates and naked photos.
I’m sure Facebook is indeed filled with drunken naked photos, but I’m just as confident that one can manage their online social networking while keeping a reasonable level of privacy and while keeping their clothes on.
Facebook, just like Twitter (and most people who “don’t do Facebook” also “don’t get Twitter”), is a very simple concept. It is a free, highly accessible marketing tool. Not using a free marketing tool just doesn’t make sense.
Social media enables you to create a public image. You can use it to market your products, your services, or – if you’re an individual – your personality, thoughts and ideas.
Sure, more and more employers want to see your Facebook profile before they hire you – but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. If you say you don’t have a Facebook profile, you risk sounding dated and out of touch. You should have a facebook profile – one that shows the recruiters you’re a well-rounded, educated, popular person who is in touch with the latest technology.
Judicious use of Facebook should help you get hired, not get you fired. The only caveat: never go online when you’re drunk.
Duh.
By the way, many of the people who refuse to use Facebook and Twitter do have a LinkedIn profile, which in my opinion is the genius of LinkedIn. The company managed to create a “secure,” “professional” atmosphere that makes even the most conservative, cautious people feel safe.
I'm Vered, a blogger for hire and social media consultant. I create and implement social media campaigns for my clients, with the goals of increasing brand awareness and loyalty, improving search engine rankings and driving targeted traffic to my clients' websites.
