Facebook Misuse Can Often Kill Careers! A Facebook Faux Pas Can Lead to a Long Job Search By Larry Chiagouris, Ph.D. |
NEW YORK, NY, April 20, 2011 -- More than 75% of college students may be using Facebook in a way that will damage their opportunities for a job after they graduate. In a recent research study I conducted at Pace University examining college students' use of Facebook, several examples of unprofessional postings were reported by students compiling a sample of 100 colleges and universities in the United States. Researchers noted that male students are more likely to post a "Facebook Faux Pas" than female students. |
The research revealed that several key features of Facebook were found to display information -- text or photos -- that if not carefully thought through, could convey an image orcharacter traits that most employers do not want in a prospective employee. |
The researchers examined the primary photos that students use as their identity, a sample of other photos in their album, status updates, organizations that they belong to, and events that they are encouraging others to attend. The findings revealed that 76% of the students had something that an employer might find offensive. The study did not look at all the material on the students' sites and did not include an examination of the photos of friends, which can be an issue for some people. Based on these factors, the 76% number is probably on the low side of problem material likely to be found on college students' Facebook pages. |
Recruitment experts agree that the use of Facebook should be done in a way that protects the user. According to Nicole Haltses, Director of Recruitment at Merit Personnel, "Employers consider Facebook an employment tool, and inappropriate material could therefore be a red flag to them. I have experienced a situation where a candidate's job offer was rescinded when the potential employer saw, and strongly disapproved of, what they perceived as a distasteful Facebook page. Use common sense when deciphering what personal information you want the world to see." |
Summary of Overall Findings College Student Profiles on Facebook: Facebook Levels of Appropriateness*  76% of all Facebook profiles were judged inappropriate and may cost a student a job opportunity! *Sample based on 400 college students' Facebook profiles. |
Tips for Facebook Users on Protecting Their Image -- Especially in Relation to Job Searches · Remove all material -- particularly photos and status updates -- that does not present you in a professional manner. · Check your security settings to confirm that no one other than your friends can access information that you prefer to keep private. Recheck these settings often because privacy policies at Facebook may change and impact your settings. · Search yourself on all major search engines (such asGoogle) to identify information about you that appears in the results. · Consider maintaining your Facebook pages under a name or nickname that you provide only to your friends and other people that you trust. This will make it more difficult for others to find you on Facebook unless you want to be found. · Arrange for a Google alert based on your name. You may find that others are posting material about you that you need to request be removed. · Ask your friends to remove photos of you that are a problem. |
Dr. Larry Chiagouris is a full-time faculty member of Pace University and the author of The Secret to Getting a Job after College: Marketing Tactics to Turn Degrees into Dollars (Brand New World Publishing). He has appeared on Today Show and Fox News, been quoted in The Wall Street Journal. He has authored more than 50 articles and books. Learn more at www.larrychiagouris.com. |
