6 Career Killing Facebook Mistakes

“Surveys suggest that approximately 30% of employers are using Facebook to screen potential employees – even more than those who check LinkedIn, a strictly professional social networking site. Don’t make these Facebook faux-pas – they might cost you a great opportunity.”  


1. Inappropriate Pictures
It may go without saying, but prospective employers or clients don’t want to see pictures of you chugging a bottle of wine or dressed up for a night at the bar. Beyond the pictures you wouldn’t want your grandparents to see, seemingly innocent pictures of your personal life will likely not help to support  the persona you want to present in your professional life.


2. Complaining About Your Current Job
You’ve no doubt done this at least once. It could be a full note about how much you hate your office, or how incompetent your boss is, or it could be as innocent as a status update about how your coworker always shows up late. While everyone complains about work sometimes, doing so in a public forum where it can be found by others is not the best career move. Though it may seem innocent, it’s not the kind of impression that sits well with a potential boss.
Use Facebook To Attract Hiring Managers
3. Posting Conflicting Information to Your Resume
If you say on your resume that your degree is from Harvard, but your Facebook profile says you went to UCLA, you’re likely to be immediately cut from the interview list. Even if the conflict doesn’t leave you looking better on your resume, disparities will make you look at worst like a liar, and at best careless.

4. Statuses You Wouldn’t Want Your Boss to See
Everyone should know to avoid statuses like “Tom plans to call in sick tomorrow so he can get drunk on a Wednesday. Who cares that my big work project isn’t done?” But you should also be aware of less flamboyant statuses like “Sarah is watching the gold medal hockey game online at her desk”. Statuses that imply you are unreliable, deceitful, and basically anything that doesn’t make you look as professional as you’d like, can seriously undermine your chances at landing that new job.”Read Full Article by Erin Joyce at Investopedia.com

Would You Like To Use Facebook To Attract Hiring Managers

  14 comments for “6 Career Killing Facebook Mistakes

  1. wendy@wendybuckingham.com
    January 5, 2012 at 7:43 am

    Great article Dawn. Far too many people don't realise that employers are now checking out job applicants on Face Book. So, if you wouldn't want your future boss to know about it – don't post it!

  2. Anonymous
    January 5, 2012 at 9:38 am

    dont the privacy settings save you from unwanted eyes on your profile…?

  3. Anonymous
    January 5, 2012 at 11:53 am

    4 is the new 6.

  4. Anonymous
    January 5, 2012 at 12:14 pm

    Good Informative article..

  5. Anonymous
    January 5, 2012 at 1:28 pm

    You mean Career-killing Facebook Mistakes. And yes, you mean 4.

  6. Anonymous
    January 5, 2012 at 2:31 pm

    If you read the full article by clicking the link at the end where it says "Read full article" rather than switching off halfway through you get the full 6 including a point on privacy settings.

  7. Jessica Holbrook
    January 5, 2012 at 2:39 pm

    I always check applicant's Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc. before interviewing, so I would definitely agree this a very important message.

  8. Anonymous
    January 5, 2012 at 5:21 pm

    I keep my Facebook set to private and add colleagues on LinkedIn instead of Facebook.

  9. Slava
    January 5, 2012 at 6:28 pm

    Although I have known the most of these tips, this article is a good reminder to everyone pursuing a good career at a respectable company.
    Also, I can't imagine how you can watch something not related to your work at your workplace, if you respect yourself.

  10. Victor
    January 6, 2012 at 11:37 am

    I did read all six and they are all good but they are also common sense. I would not want to hire anyone who NEEDED to read this article to know that these are things that you should not do. If you lack this much sense of how to behave online and in the business world, I really don't need you.

  11. Edwina@FASHION+ART
    January 6, 2012 at 1:40 pm

    You would think so Victor but I've alerted more than one parent after seeing questionable images or posts online from their seemingly intelligent and well educated college graduates. It's mind-blowing.

  12. Anonymous
    January 6, 2012 at 1:51 pm

    You're right, Victor. Unfortunately, common sense ain't so common anymore. You would be shocked seeing what our HR department discovered online regarding otherwise bright, engaging, educated, experienced and talented individuals. The voice of reason is only a whisper.

  13. Anonymous
    January 10, 2012 at 10:20 pm

    Facebook is for idiots anyway. How about keeping up with your friends the old fashioned way. Make a phone call, write a letter, or go visit a friend.

  14. celias corset
    January 12, 2012 at 6:03 am

    Celias corset wonderful!

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