by Doreen Martel

Created on: October 17, 2009   Last Updated: February 07, 2012

Facebook is one of the many social networking sites that can help or hinder you. Facebook is a fast-growing networking site that allows for friends, family and colleagues to get together and join in sharing photos, stories and other social events online. While the attraction of being able to keep in touch with everyone via a simple social networking site is attractive, there are some precautions you should be aware of to prevent problems that could hurt your career.

Who your friends are - Make sure that before you automatically add someone as a friend that you know what types of things they are posting on Facebook. There are certain industries (such as teachers) who have been asked by their employers to avoid sites like Facebook. If you are all all uncertain about what could pop up on your "wall" it might be better to pass on adding someone as a friend.

What is being shared - While family photos are fun and generally innocent, make sure that your friends are not sharing material that could embarrass you during a job search. What might seem innocent at first blush could potentially cause you or a potential employer a blemish on an otherwise clean reputation and hurt your career goals.

Other activities - Be wary of some of the alternative activities that are available on Facebook. If it is your intention to use it to keep up with photos from family members and other ongoing activities that probably won't hurt your career. However, other people you have added as friends can have a chilling effect on your reputation if they are posting inappropriate photos or having discussions that would be better held in private.

Connections - One of the challenges with any networking site and perhaps a bit more prevalent at Facebook is what people share. Videos from around the internet can be placed on your "wall" without you having had anything to do with it. If you're entering an industry that frowns on this type of sharing, you could hurt your career if you are on Facebook.

Like any other social networking, using common sense can help protect you. If you are concerned about the activities of a friend or connection on Facebook, remove the friend. If you find that Facebook is hurting your career, make your profile private or delete your account. Why risk your reputation by continuing to participate in Facebook? You can keep up with friends and family in other ways without putting your career at risk.

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