TECH, BUSINESS AND CAREER INSIGHTS

Social Media 101: Facebook

TSP • @myTSPnet

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You’ve probably had Facebook for years and been posting ever since your first day on the social media site. However, what you may not know is the impact Facebook can have on your career and reputation. According to CareerBuilder, 70% of employers use social media when screening a candidate — that includes Facebook.

Mark Zuckerberg founded Facebook at 23 while attending Harvard University. In just 24 hours, 1,200 Harvard students had signed up to join the social-networking website. Soon enough, Facebook expanded to universities across the nation and eventually to everyone — the site reported an average of 2.38 billion daily active users as of March 31, 2019.

While it would take hours to do an in-depth tutorial, there are some basics we recommend everyone should know when diving into the Facebook abyss. When it comes to family, friends, and even employers, the below tips may just make or break your online (and real life) reputation.

PHOTO TIPS
You may think there’s no way you’ve posted anything inappropriate or questionable. However, what about your tagged photos? It may take some time to sift through all your posts and photos, but it's an essential step to building your bulletproof online reputation. Look for anything that may be questionable, including the infamous red solo cup. Even if it's Diet Coke you’re drinking, you never know what the person on the other end of the monitor is thinking.

SHARING TIPS
Sharing stories and posting to your timeline is pretty much the simplest thing you can do on Facebook. Since Facebook is intended for personal use — not for your career — you may think it is okay to share your opinions and overall outlooks on life…it’s not. Avoid getting into heated discussions or posting long rants about things that can be discussed offline, especially politics. Even the smallest comment on a viral meme can pop up on your friend’s timelines!

SECURITY TIPS
We recommend making your profile private, as it is the safest way to assure those you do not know can’t reach your personal information. Now, users can also make individual posts or photos only viewable to certain groups. If you’re wondering where your profile stands, you can also view your profile as public or even a certain person. The unfortunate truth is that the world is a shady place, but this Facebook Privacy and Security Guide can help you combat against those who wish to do you harm.

NETWORKING TIPS
More and more people have started using Facebook as a networking tool. While LinkedIn is still the main social site for recruiters, a recent survey by Jobvite found 55% of recruiters reported using Facebook during the recruiting process. The world of Facebook groups is never ending, and it goes beyond public groups. To find what’s best for you, ask around in your industry to see what groups your peers are in — they may just invite you to join their super-secret private group!

As you decide what photos, stories, or opinions to share with your trusted Facebook friends, keep in mind nothing on the internet truly goes away. Use your best judgement — if you’re unsure whether to publish something, it’s probably safer to stay away from the post button. As with all social networks, it takes some time and digging to master the minute nuances. And for those of you who think there’s nothing left to learn, check out these hidden features only the experts know.

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