Using Facebook to Find a Job After 50

If you haven’t already done so, you might think about adding Facebook to your job search toolbox. Networking is still the most effective way to find a job, and Facebook can be a great source of job referrals!

Keeping Your Work and Personal Lives Separate on Facebook

If you’re on Facebook now, you may be reluctant to talk about your job search openly with your friends and family. After all, there are plenty of news stories about people getting fired because of what they said on Facebook. And who knows how many people don’t get hired in the first place because of what appears on their profiles?

Fortunately, through the use of lists and privacy settings, you can make sure that potential employers (and current ones) see only what you want them to see.

Making the Most of Your Facebook Profile

Facebook sure doesn’t make this easy. But if you follow these steps, you’ll be able to create a professional-looking profile for your business contacts, while still being able to chat and share photos with your friends:

1. Manage your image. The first thing to do is to edit your profile on the Info tab. Add a photo of yourself that’s not too formal and not too casual. Next write a brief Bio. Keep it focused on your personal brand – who you are and the value you have to offer a potential employer. Complete the Work and Education section, highlighting accomplishments that are relevant to your career goals. Then under Contact Information, add website links to your LinkedIn profile, plus your online resume or blog if you have those.

2. Create lists. At the top of your Facebook profile, click the “Home” tab, then in the left sidebar, click on “Friends”. Next, click on the “Create a List” button at the top of that page. Create your lists one at a time and give each a name – for example, you might choose to create lists for Friends, Family, and Business Contacts. Once you’ve added people to each list, click the “Create List” button. Your lists will now show up as options in the left column of your Home page. You can add to or change your lists at any time.

3. Set your Privacy Settings. Now your goal is to customize your public profile, the one that professional contacts and potential employers will see. Click “Account” in the upper right corner and go to Privacy Settings. Under Basic Directory Information, click “View settings”.

Since you want employers to be able to find you, allow “Everyone” to (1) search for you, (2) send friend requests, (3) see your education and work history, and (4) see your current city. It’s up to you whether you want to leave the other settings on this page open to everyone or restrict them to your friends only. It really depends on the type of content you’ll have.

4. Decide what to share with whom. Back in Privacy settings, under Sharing on Facebook, click “Customize Settings”. Select “Everyone” for the categories “Bio and favorite quotations” and “Website”. Make sure only your friends (or special lists) can see the other items, especially your Wall posts and Photos.

I wouldn’t recommend publishing your email address – in Step 3 you have the option to allow people to send you messages through Facebook. Back in Privacy Settings once again, go to “Applications and Websites” and make sure only your friends can see your Game and application activity. Finally, go to Public search, click the “edit settings” button and place a check mark in the box to enable public search so you can be found on the internet.

5. Let people know you’re available! Using a status update, let your friends know what kind of work you’re looking for. Be upbeat and specific about what you want (you’ll get more responses that way). One of your contacts might know someone who works in a company or industry you’re targeting and would be able to arrange an introduction to the hiring manager.

Like it or not, having an online presence is fast becoming a necessity. 92% of recruiters will be hiring from social networks in 2010, and at least 33% are currently checking social media profiles online, including your Facebook profile.

Employers today want to see that the people they hire are up-to-date with the latest technology, which includes computer skills and knowledge of social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

People over 50 are the fastest growing group of Facebook users. Even if you don’t want to use Facebook to socialize, it’s still a great way to enhance your online reputation.

Has Facebook helped you find job leads? What was your experience like?

Photo credit: webtreats / CC license

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