Eternal Suicide by FB

One of the classes I teach is a career and interviewing class. I enjoy teaching that class because it really helps some of the students. What amazes me about some young people, however, is that some have chosen to commit professional suicide by Facebook.

Let me explain.

This social media craze, to use this newest generation’s vernacular, is awesome. It is also very dangerous for many reasons.

First, if you have a Facebook account, you need to restrict who can view your information. Very few people need to know everything about you. FB is a treasure trove of information for identity thieves. Crooks have placed telephone calls to unsuspecting people and used information they gleaned from FB to empty various financial accounts. My suggestion is to limit who can view your information to only “friends.”

Another way many get into trouble is by posting things on the Internet that should always be private. Never post anything that you would not want your mother to see.

Many corporations, firms, academic institutions, and more use FB and other social media sites as a part of the interview process. If they find those photos you placed of the latest party at your place where you were photographed making like a lampshade (or worse), this could have a profound effect on the rest of your life.

Let me repeat that because it is important – really important.

If you place derogatory information or photos of yourself on the Internet, it may keep you from every being offered a professional position – this could have a profound effect on the rest of your life.

Too many young people have already found out about this the hard way. They have lost offers for positions for which they were perfectly suited because of the information the companies found on FB.

For many, their late teens and early twenties are a time for rebellion, to be “cool,” to find their way and be unique. Bear this in mind, however, at the end of the day, you still have to fit in with whatever group or organization you wish to join.

If you are looking for a job, you have to be a model citizen. If you are looking for positions requiring professionalism, professional demeanor must permeate all facets of your life. Another way to say this is you cannot post derogatory information about others, yourself, companies, schools, or incriminating photographs. You also cannot post profane language on your FB page.

If you do post bad information, incriminating information, or use profane or lewd language, it can very well keep you from ever getting a job later in your life. You may very well think, That’s not cool. Anyway, I am living in the moment so it really doesn’t matter! Actually, it does matter, because you have a future you must protect.

Here is something else to keep in mind. HR departments and those responsible for hiring have been very resourceful in getting into applicant’s FB and other accounts. Even if you have your privacy levels set high, they may very well find what they are looking for, which is the answer to the question: What kind of person are you?

Be professional throughout all aspects of your life.

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©2010 J. Clark

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