Facebook Networking: Using Facebook to Your Advantage

Facebook is one of the fastest growing websites that you can take advantage of to network.

As a young (or old) professional, your business persona is more than the time you log sitting at your desk. Facebook is a great networking opportunity. But in order to properly use it to its full advantage, you need to be sure that your Facebook account matches your business objectives.

Potential employers (as well as college recruiters, and potential dates) will often use Facebook to do some background checking on you. It's important to avoid pasting your party pictures into your Facebook account. You want Facebook to work for you, so don't post information or pictures that would put you in a bad frame of reference. Keeping with this line of thought, it's a a good idea to fill out your education, work, and interests on your profile as these can help you land a job or college interview.

Think of it this way. You don't want to put any pictures or comments on Facebook that you would not put on your office desk for everyone to see.

Facebook allows you to post pictures. In fact you can post as many as you like. You can also "tag" your pictures with descriptions. However Facebook only allows one profile picture. The profile picture is what people see when you show up on a search request. It is important that your profile picture is clear, well lit and makes you look good. Also keep in mind that your profile picture is always available to the public, even if you have the privacy settings on your account activated. Avoid the party pictures and use the profile picture to put your best image forward for all to see.

You also want to join groups that help benefit your career. If your company is large, it probably has a Facebook group. You might even find that your company also has regional Facebook groups and departmental Facebook groups. If you have an engineering degree, be sure to look for local engineering groups. This will provide you additional areas of networking.

Avoid gossiping. It may be Facebook, but if you gossip about your boss's wife, it will eventually get back to your boss. Remember Facebook is comprised of people who you accept as friends and groups of people that you have common associations with. Remember the golden rule, if you would not say it directly to the person, then you don't want to put it on Facebook.

You also don't want to overdo status updates but you should keep it current. If your taking a sick day to go to the beach, don't update your status with "Going Surfing Dudes"! Employers do check.

Facebook can be fun but don't forget that if you are using it as a networking tool, then treat it like a networking tool.