Using Facebook for Professional Networking

Using facebook inc for Professional NetworkingUsing Facebook for Professional NetworkingThe largest social network, Facebook reports2.27 billion monthly active users, as of the third quarter of 2018. Most recently, its user kusine has become a broader representation of the general population, according toPew Research, with 68 percent of US adults using it. In the 18-29 age range, 81 percent are on Facebook. Big deal, right? Whats surprising is that 78 percent of Americans ages 30-49 and 65 percent ages 50-64 are also on the social platform. So, a lot of people are on Facebook. The question for job seekers and other professionals hoping to build their career is whether those people include hiring managers, recruiters, and other people who can help and if so, whether Facebook can help get their attention in a positive way. Facebook Grows Up Though the gap is closing, millennials grew up with Facebook and use it mora frequently than Gen X and baby boomers. Therefore, using it for p rofessional networking is a more natural process. Whereas, for most people who have been in the workplace for decades,LinkedInis the more straightforward platform to use. It is strictly for professional purposes and although it has evolved to support more frequent sharing, has far fewer features than Facebook, making it ideal for the technologically challenged. But there is no question that, if used appropriately, Facebook can have a very positive, and arguably, a much more significant impact on your career goals. In fact, Facebook, not LinkedIn has become the professional networking platform of choice forhigh-level geschftlicher umgang people, including Hewlett Packard CEO Meg Whitman and T-Mobile CEO John Legere. And with access to an audience of 2.27 billion, theyd be remiss not to. Facebooks expansion of the work and education section and its myriad of new features including live video has also lured professionals. Facebook Tools When comparing Facebooks range of features to that of LinkedIns, there is a clear winner from a social perspective. With Facebook, you can create event pages, fundraisers, widgets, and tools for countless other applications. Learning how to use unterstellung features properly can be overwhelming, especially for those who arent Facebook savvy. Therein lies the dilemma for those who wish to both simplify and keep their personal life separate from their work life. However, you dont necessarily need all those features when you are job searching. From a business perspective,LinkedIn is the site most employers use to source candidates, and its the site a recruiter will check first to learn more about your professional credentials. The Line Between Social and Professional Networking The line between social and professional networking can get blurry, and knowing when to draw it is critical to advancing your career. If youre careful about what you share and use your connections wisely, social media can be an excellent tool to both build your career and decide what party you want to go to or movie to watch a win-win Facebook users, particularly i-Gen and millennials, who use the platform for both personal and professional purposes should be diligent about what content (e.g., photos, videos, status updates, etc.) they allow prospective clients, employers, or business partners to see. Fortunately, you can selectively hide specific content from Facebook friends by adjusting your privacy settings. Promote and personalize your professional brand by posting informative articles, inspiring photos and videos, and engaging with your audience on a personal level. But dont post just anything be tactical, selective, and authentic for greater impact. For those of you who want to build your life lifestyle brand, youll probably be more open than other professionals, but still practice discretion when sharing what youre doing, thinking, or feeling. Tips For Using Facebook for Professional Networking Some experts warn th at Facebook and business dont mix well. But if you do decide to use it for business as well as socializing, there are a few things to have in mind in order to keep your sharing safe for work. Are you willing to devote at least five hours a week creating and posting content to grow your personal brand? When first navigating the complex world of Facebook networking, youll need to spend more time figuring out what strategies are work best for business growth and creating opportunities. If the answer you have neither the desire nor bandwidth, then just stick with LinkedIn.If you are a business owner or hope to start a business in the near future, the benefits of having a page or group for your business are two-fold you separate your personal and professional life and can create a lot of positive exposure. Consultants (e.g., personal trainers, life/health coaches) should use their profiles to network. If you do, your profile picture should be clean and ideally, professionally shot.Create a simple profile (or clean up with your existing one) with minimal graphics and widgets.Limit the photos you post to only those that are bothrelevant to your personal brandand could potentially advance your goals. So, please no mirror selfies.Post content relevant to your job search or career.Use Facebook Groups for career networking and job searching. Use Facebook messaging to build relationships with your friends.Choose your Facebook friends wisely, and remember that they can see information about your other friends in your profile.