I recently signed up for a Facebook account. I did it because, as Alexander Kjerulf put it, "all the cool kids do it." And I wanted to see what all of the hype was about. And I wanted to stay in tune with the newest trends in technology and social networking so that I'm not a bore in conversation.I have to admit I haven't yet seen the benefit in it. Sure, I've been contacted by a few "long-lost" friends and acquaintances from my high school days, but that's about the extent of its helpfulness to my personal and professional life. There have been no, "wow, this site is a fantastic life-changing and friend-building tool" moments.
Perhaps, though, I'm neglecting some important feature or missing out on the big "secret" of Facebook Success.
Please share:
1. What is the top benefit that you have received from using Facebook, LinkedIn, or MySpace?
2. Have any of the aforementioned social networking sites helped you in your career?
2 comments:
Stephanie:I don't think these social networking sites help anyone with jobs. I think, in fact, they often hurt, since employers google possible employees, and look them up on MySpace, Facebook, and - more frequently than we would like - find photos of these possible employees in drunken poses, etc. I have always thought they were only for social networking and I know my college age kids HATE the fact that Facebook opened up to non-college people.
Renee,
Thanks for your insight on this issue.
Penelope Trunk, author of "Brazen Careerist: the New Rules for Success", champions using social networking sites for career advancement purposes.
That said, I certainly haven't made any great career contacts since I "set up shop" on Facebook several months ago. Actually, I'm half-considering deleting my account altogether. Unless someone convinces me otherwise...
Here's one of Penelope Trunk's blogs wherein she mentions social networking sites:
http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/10/29/10-job-hunt-tactics-you-might-not-know/
P.S. I actually wouldn't mind at all if a prospective employer stumbled upon my blog or my Facebook account, but I realize that isn't the case for everyone...
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