Facebook doesn't really have a setting to make your profile "invisible" to the Internet - your name will still show up on a search. So for one, use a professional-looking profile photo. By default, Facebook profiles are public, so you'd have to specifically change your settings to make all or part of your profile private. You really shouldn't make your entire profile private, as employers and recruiters might think you're trying to hide something major that would make you a less desirable candidate. That being said, it's OK to make certain parts private, such as family photos.
Other things shouldn't ever be posted on your social media profiles in the first place - after all, they are PUBLIC sites even if you do have things set to "Private." A good rule of thumb is that if you wouldn't want your grandmother to see it, or if you wouldn't want it to be on the front page of the newspaper, don't post it.
Instead of trying to hide by making your Facebook profile private, why not use it to your advantage as a job seeker? Post photos and videos of you sharing your expertise, include relevant information about your career and work history, and connect with the "movers and shakers" in your field. While LinkedIn and Plaxo are widely considered to be more "professional," the fact is that employers DO search Facebook and other sites, so you want to have your best foot forward everywhere they look.
To your success,
David B. Wright Author, Get A Job! Your Guide to Making Successful Career Moves http://www.TheGetAJobBook.com The Job Search Strategist blog http://jobs.therecruiterslounge.com
Facebook doesn't really have a setting to make your profile "invisible" to the Internet - your name will still show up on a search. So for one, use a professional-looking profile photo. By default, Facebook profiles are public, so you'd have to specifically change your settings to make all or part of your profile private. You really shouldn't make your entire profile private, as employers and recruiters might think you're trying to hide something major that would make you a less desirable candidate. That being said, it's OK to make certain parts private, such as family photos.
ReplyDeleteOther things shouldn't ever be posted on your social media profiles in the first place - after all, they are PUBLIC sites even if you do have things set to "Private." A good rule of thumb is that if you wouldn't want your grandmother to see it, or if you wouldn't want it to be on the front page of the newspaper, don't post it.
Instead of trying to hide by making your Facebook profile private, why not use it to your advantage as a job seeker? Post photos and videos of you sharing your expertise, include relevant information about your career and work history, and connect with the "movers and shakers" in your field. While LinkedIn and Plaxo are widely considered to be more "professional," the fact is that employers DO search Facebook and other sites, so you want to have your best foot forward everywhere they look.
To your success,
David B. Wright
Author, Get A Job! Your Guide to Making Successful Career Moves
http://www.TheGetAJobBook.com
The Job Search Strategist blog http://jobs.therecruiterslounge.com