As more and more employers search for you on Google and Facebook, it’s important to you use Facebook’s privacy settings correctly. In our presentations and workshops, we’re constantly asked, “What should I show other people on Facebook and what should I keep private?”
Setting Your Facebook Privacy Settings:
Facebook Privacy Settings are straightforward. To access them:
- Log into your Facebook account.
- Hover over Settings in the top right
- Click on Privacy Settings
There are two main areas of interest to you for controlling how employers can see you. I would start off with the Profile portion. Here you can choose specifically what people can and can’t see on your profile. To make this process easier, create a list of friends, so you don’t have to individually set privacy settings for 10 different people.
To create a friend list:
- Go to friends
- Click create new list
- Name the list
- Type in friends’ names to add them to the list
In Facebook’s privacy settings area, you can click the drop down menu next to each item: profile, basic info, etc. and hit customize. You can specifically lock off that section for specific users or a list of users, like your coworkers or your boss.
In figuring out what to block and what to leave open, I prefer the safe route: lock down your photos, status updates and your wall. These are where you are most likely to get yourself in trouble, especially if friends say something or tag you in an incriminating photo.
Be mindful of what people can see about you in general. Take some extra time to decide if everyone should be able to see something, or if you just want your friends or your local network to see it. Also remember that your Facebook profile is a great pace to flesh out your interests, activities and passions that back up your career goals.
The next important area of Facebook privacy settings is the search tab. Search is important because it helps you become more visible online. If your profile backs up your qualifications and you’ve locked down potentially dangerous areas like photos, I would suggest you allow your profile to be searchable by Everyone. There are some risks associated with doing this, so consider what a hiring manager would think if they found your profile, and then decide.
Personally, I can be searched by everyone, and when I am searched a person can see my profile picture, add me as a friend, send me a message and see my friend list.
The most important aspect of search is the Public Search Listing. This is where Google and other search engines can find you. If you don’t check this box then you will not be visible when someone searches you in Google. Once again this needs to be a personal decision, but if your profile backs up your personal brand in a way that won’t damage your career, I would suggest that you allow search engines to find you.
Facebook Privacy Settings are easy once you get used to them. They are a great way to help you safely build your personal brand. As always, be cautious when posting detailed information about yourself on the web, especially your home address.
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