Is your Facebook page going to cost you your job, or keep you from getting one? It has for many people already. According to a 2006 US News report, "40 percent of employers would take into consideration Facebook content when evaluating potential hires. Some reported rescinding job offers after finding incriminating content about the candidates online." The percentage now is well over that reported back then. Make a few mistakes on your page, and the company that you applied for will decide that you just "won't fit in."
While there are risks all over a Facebook page, your Profile is the place to start. Here are step-by-step solutions to fix your Facebook profile, so it helps you land and keep the job you want. If you let it, your Facebook page will become your powerful friend who gives a strong recommendation that job recruiters cannot resist.
How do you fix your Facebook profile into a job magnet? Just follow these simple steps to smarten your profile.
1. Your Interests should include some good books (and be sure you read them before the interview!). Add interests that show that you are creative, take the initiative, and are a leader. Your list of interests should reinforce or enhance activities you placed on your resume.
2. Under Favorite Activities, delete anything trivial. And don't repeat the error of one job seeker, who listed her activity as "brushing my teeth while sitting on the toilet."
3. Be careful with lists of your Favorite Books, Favorite Movies, Favorite TV Shows and the like. You can list a few of each, but minimize or eliminate comedies and daytime soaps. It's OK to list Sesame Street, but only if you want to work in a daycare center.
4. Favorite Quotes can trip you up. Keep your list short, no more than 3 quotes. Avoid stupid quotes and any that describe intoxication, sex, laziness, depression, hopelessness, a negative outlook, or bodily functions.
5. Favorite Music should not include any rap artists, unless you are trying to get a job working for xxx(?). You can boost your career chances by including some classical music in this category.
6. Relationship Status has the potential to sink your job hunting success. Lots of girls put up fake relationships (married to their girlfriend) - don't do this! And never select the "It's complicated" label for your current relationship. For a job hunter, "Single and not looking" is fine.
7. "About Me" should be more than some random facts. Many girls put up About-Me's that like, "I always get up on the left side of the bed. My favorite ice cream flavor is peanut butter. Sometimes I dream about giant McDonald's Fry Kids." This makes them seem shallow and stupid. Better would be, "I am a 23 year old college graduate, interested in world events and our national healthcare system. My passion is lifetime learning."
8. Your photo should look good. Nothing stupid, nothing provocative, it should look business-like. Retouching your snapshot, say at 399Retouch.com, can turn it into an attractive portrait showing the you that a company would be anxious to hire.
A bad Facebook profile can scuttle your job hopes or even get your fired. Using these tips will change Facebook into a powerful secret ally to help one important person - you - get and keep the job you want!
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