wow, security is a major issue... ----- Original Message ----- From: "Martin Baxter" <martinbaxt...@gmail.com> To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, April 11, 2010 3:38:55 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Six Career-Killing Facebook Mistakes
Keith, about a year ago, I was posting in there about every other day, primarily to keep up with some friends who'd been in another group with me, when they revamped the place, touting its "security" for the world to see. And then the attacks began. One SF group I was in, run by a British friend of mine, was completely *hijacked* by a troll. My friend was booted out of Facebook, unable to log back in for three days (something Facebook is reportedly STILL trying to figure out), complaining almost constantly to get back in. When the matter was finally resolved, Facebook posted a notice saying, in so many words, "We had some problems, but we *didn't* really have any problems. Everything's fine! Come on back in!" In addition, I picked up a stalker there (woman who had the same name as a cousin of mine, and looked a little like her -- the reason I friended her). That. as they say, was THAT. On Sun, Apr 11, 2010 at 2:17 PM, Keith Johnson < keithbjohn...@comcast.net > wrote: Why is that? You mentioned recently some issues with Facebook? ----- Original Message ----- From: "Martin Baxter" < martinbaxt...@gmail.com > To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, April 11, 2010 6:29:43 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Six Career-Killing Facebook Mistakes Keith, I read this late yesterday, and shook my head as well. I'm not even looking for a job, and I wouldn't do any of those things. But then, I left Facebook a long time ago. Didn't even close the account, just stopped using it. On Sun, Apr 11, 2010 at 3:43 AM, Keith Johnson < keithbjohn...@comcast.net > wrote: These tips should be common sense, but I'm stunned how many people do some of this. I have friends and former co-workers who indeed post all kinds of shots of themselves drinking, partying, etc. But more than that, I'm amazed at how many people I know have posted things such as "Sitting here at this job I hate watching TV online", or, "Trying to find a better job". So take a quick peek, and if you are now looking for a job, or thinking about it, take a look at your social networking stuff out there with a more cautious eye... ******************************************************* http://finance.yahoo.com/career-work/article/109267/6-career-killing-facebook-mistakes 6 Career-Killing Facebook Mistakes by Erin Joyce, Managing Editor Wednesday, April 7, 2010 provided by investopedia_logo.jpg With more than 400 million active visitors, Facebook is arguably the most popular social networking site out there. And while the site is known for the casual social aspect, many users also use it as a professional networking tool. With that kind of reach, Facebook can be a valuable tool for connecting to former and current colleagues, clients and potential employers. In fact, 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. 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. 5. Not Understanding Your Security Settings The security settings on Facebook have come a long way since the site started. It is now possible to customize lists of friends and decide what each list can and cannot see. However, many people do not fully understand these settings, or don't bother to check who has access to what. If you are going to use Facebook professionally, and even if you aren't, make sure you take the time to go through your privacy options. At the very least, your profile should be set so that people who are not your friend cannot see any of your pictures or information. 6. Losing by Association You can't control what your friends post to your profile (although you can remove it once you see it), nor what they post to their own profiles or to those of mutual friends. If a potential client or employer sees those Friday night pictures your friend has tagged you in where he is falling down drunk, it reflects poorly on you, even if the picture of you is completely innocent. It's unfortunate, but we do judge others by the company they keep, at least to some extent. Take a look at everything connected to your profile, and keep an eye out for anything you wouldn't want to show your mother. Facebook Can Help You Get Hired … or Fired The best advice is to lock down your personal profile so that only friends you approve can see anything on that profile. Then, create a second, public profile on Facebook purely for professional use. This profile functions like an online resume, and should only contain information you'd be comfortable telling your potential employer face to face. Having a social networking profile is a good thing — it presents you as technologically and professionally savvy. Just make sure your profile is helping to present your best side — not the side that got drunk at your buddy's New Year's party.
