Facebook & Job Search

Question:

I’ve heard that employers look at your Facebook page when deciding whether or not to hire you! Is that true?

Answer:

It is true, and has been for years. So if you’re looking for a job, now is the time to clean up your Facebook page.

First, check out your Intro page. You get there by clicking on your name at the top left corner; about halfway down the next page on the left, you’ll see “Edit Details”. Click that, and you’ll be at your Intro. Work your way through the details, updating old information and correcting any errors or typos.

To verify who can see each piece of information, move your mouse pointer to the far right of it. You will see “Friends” or “Public” and “Edit.” Clicking Edit will get you several more options. Making your information public means employers will be able to see it. Others will too. You’ll have to decide if this is a good thing or a bad thing.

You’ll want to have a fairly complete job history there if you want to use Facebook to apply for jobs. Be sure to get some keywords in.

Under “Contact and Basic Info,” consider including a phone number to make it easy for an employer to contact you.

There are places for your religious and political views under Contact and Basic Info. Generally it’s best to keep that to yourself while you’re job searching.

There are many other factors you may want to add. Click on “Add a Life Event” to see a number of options. Before you add any, ask yourself what clues this information will provide to a possible employer.

Finally, review everything you’ve ever posted; take down or hide any that don’t show you in a flattering light.

When you think you’re done, check what others can see. On your Intro page, to the right of your banner photo, you’ll see Activity Log, then three dots. Clicking on the three dots gives you an option to “View as.” Click that, and you’ll see what any stranger sees when they put your name in the search box.

Did you know that Facebook has job postings too? Find them at www.facebook.com/jobs. In order to apply for these jobs, your job history has to appear in your About profile. The job application will populate with that information. After you submit it, it will turn up in the employer’s Messenger chat box. Hopefully they will be impressed, and get in touch with you.