Reasons why being on Facebook can sometimes hurt your career
Facebook is an excellent website, especially to those who are looking to network socially or even professionally. Usually professional networking doesn't get people into much trouble on Facebook, however it's the social end that people often stumble into difficulties if they aren't careful.
The reason for this is because occasionally when professional and personal lives clash, explosive things can happen. Most people would agree that there are behaviors, language or attitudes that would never be expressed in the workplace, but would be done socially. The problem with Facebook is it is incredibly hard to separate the two.
In the offline world people can go home and kick off their shoes and let their hair down, so to speak. With Facebook, this doesn't happen. Not only does this not happen, but whatever is said or shared can remain visible indefinitely. Sure comments or photos can be deleted, but if they are seen by a boss or other colleague, this fact cannot be undone, especially if it's been copy and pasted or forwarded.
With social networking sites such as MySpace, people tend to use a chat or other name that is not the same as their real one. Facebook's business model encourages people to use their real names and as a result this can cause problems for those who are connected to their work friends, or even bosses, and this means more people than ever are running into the aforementioned clash scenario.
Here are some of the problematic scenarios that can happen on Facebook that can hurt a career:
*Inappropriate Photographs
One great thing about Facebook is the ability to post and share photos. Unfortunately, a bad thing about Facebook is the ability to post and share photos.
Imagine a scenario when you go out with friends and act in a way that could be construed as unprofessional and come the next day your pals post photos of your evening out. While you may know enough not to post them, others may not give it a thought.
While it's true everyone has the right to do whatever it is they please when they are off the clock, the reality is perceptions of unprofessionalism will impact what employers will say or think. If they get a negative perception on your photos listed on Facebook, unfortunately this could impact future promotions or other career opportunities.
*Break Work Confidentiality
Casual comments made on Facebook can also hurt your career. Accidentally breaking confidentiality can become an issue that hurts your career.
Picture a situation where you are about to sign a great deal on the job or that a new secretive initiative you're involved in is about to launch. You're so excited about it you could burst and can't wait to talk about it so you idly make a comment on Facebook.
If this is proprietary or sensitive information, this can lead to legal or ethical issues at your job. The repercussions can be devastating to your career, especially if you've breached what might be deemed confidential information.
*Play Sick
Calling in sick for the simple reason you want to take a day off can be harmful to your job. If you're updating your status or making offhand comments about your day, and it obviously wasn't taking it easy or going back to bed to sleep off your illness, this could come back to haunt you if anyone on the job takes notice.
Additionally if your boss catches wind, you'll be caught in a lie. Being branded as a liar can be devastating to a career and unfortunately those who aren't careful with comments can find themselves in a heap of trouble with their bosses, especially when it comes to raise or promotion time.
*Negative Comments about Bosses or Colleagues
Even during the most frustrating day at work, it's a good practice to keep it off Facebook. If you feel the need to vent, be sure and keep it offline. Facebook is not the best environment to share work frustrations since your comments essentially become public information.
Showing the unprofessional behavior of bashing your boss or coworkers can lead to problematic troubles at work and ultimately hurt your career. Keep in mind there may come a day where you need a reference or would like a letter of recommendation. Any unkind or unflattering comments you've made may just come back to haunt you.
*Search Engines
Even if you intentionally do not connect with bosses or colleagues on Facebook, this can lead to troubles because much information can be offered by a quick web search.
While it's true you can use privacy options and tools to keep your information private, you can't control what others say, what photos are posted, or how they control the flow of information on their page and your name could be linked to someone else's page in a web search if they are on your friend list.
The best way to protect your career is to not say or do anything on Facebook that would be unbecoming or reflect negatively on you because if your actions are deemed inappropriate or unprofessional, this could have long term effects with your current job and even future jobs.
Ultimately what it comes down to is everything that is said on Facebook is on some level public information and will likely be seen by others. Even the best tools or preventative actions are not 100% foolproof.