Even if you’re careful about your Facebook security, very few profiles are truly off-limits, especially if you’ve friended a few of your co-workers along the way.
“So what?” You think. “There’s nothing on my Facebook profile that
I’m ashamed of.” But are you really sure? You might be surprised how
much of what’s on your Facebook page is inappropriate for work. Here
are
just a few of the things you’re revealing about yourself that you might
not have considered.
1. Your age
Even if you didn’t use your real age when you signed up for Facebook,
it’s pretty easy to figure out. Mentions of your high school reunion,
your favorite bands (Hall and Oates reunion tour, anyone?) or
your third-grade class photo (look at those bell bottoms!) will surely
give you away. You’d never dream of putting your age on your resume, so
why give a potential employer the chance to rule you out before even
meeting you?
2. Your political beliefs
Anyone with a little common sense knows that talking politics at work is
a bad idea, but anyone checking out your Facebook page could probably
pretty easily figure out where you stand. Maybe you innocently “liked” a
politician’s Facebook page, made a donation to a political campaign or
signed an online petition. Lately, it’s very hard to predict when that
information is going to pop up on your Facebook page. Worse yet, do you
really want your boss reading your lunatic brother-in-law’s survivalist
rants or your cousin’s “legalize marijuana” posts. I think not.
3. Your personal life
What’s the point of putting on a power suit for work if everyone in your
office can see photos of you in your pajamas on Christmas morning on
your Facebook page? Do you really want anyone in your professional life
to know that you’ve gained 30 pounds over the last five years (those
wedding photos reveal a lot) or that your friends are chronically trying
to fix you up with people? Too much personal information will make
anyone look less than professional.
4. Your childhood
Yes, your Davy Crockett coonskin cap was adorable when you were 8. And
those photos your mom keeps posting of you as a kid in the bathtub are
cute, too. And, while they’re not exactly blackmail material, there’s
little doubt they’ll help undermine your efforts to command much respect
around the office.
5. Your religious beliefs
What you believe is no one else’s business. But, that doesn’t mean they
won’t hold it against you. If you’ve “liked” your church’s Facebook page
or are posting about the next B’nai B’rith bake sale, you might want to
think again. It may not be right, but people will project their
opinions about religion on you whether you like it or not. Be sure
you’re ready to deal with it.
6. Your work alliances
Even if you think you’re good at playing office politics, odds are your
Facebook page tells the real truth about who you like and who you don’t.
Simply “friending” some people in the office and not others is enough
to provide digital grist for the office gossip mill. Be smart and keep
your personal friendships personal.
Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, pearleye
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