Social networking sites like Facebook can have an impact on your job search; whether the impact is positive or negative depends on how you choose to use the site.

Your Facebook Friend List

Facebook can be a fantastic networking tool. Adding colleagues, particularly former co-workers or acquaintances to your friend list and sending a quick note to them from time to time on Facebook can be an excellent way to stay in touch with people you may not otherwise have an opportunity to connect with.

It’s easy to lose touch with colleagues if you no longer work with them on a daily basis; Facebook provides a simple, fun way to stay connected with people who may be able to provide you with job leads now and in the future.

Be genuine when you are networking on Facebook. It’s important to avoid creating the impression that you are someone who is simply collecting friends; that leaves a bad impression in the minds of most people. People who send friend requests on Facebook without initiating any kind of conversation come across to many as people who are simply collecting friends and not truly interested in the individual.

If you send a friend request to a colleague who you haven’t seen in a while, be sure to include a brief, friendly note describing some of the things you’ve been doing since you last spoke (these can be professional activities, personal or both depending upon your relationship with the individual). Be sure to ask them what they have been doing recently, and once your colleague is added to your friend list, make a point of contacting them from time to time on Facebook.

When you have colleagues on your Facebook friend list, you’ll need to use some discretion when posting items on Facebook. A good guideline to keep in mind is to ask yourself whether you’d be embarrassed if a supervisor, client or customer viewed anything you intend to post on your Facebook profile. If the answer is yes, don’t post it.

Facebook and Potential Employers

Remember, if you don’t set your privacy settings to limit access to your Facebook profile, anyone will be able to view it. That includes potential employers.

More and more frequently employers are reviewing the Facebook profiles, and any other online presence, of potential new employees. They feel that while people do their best to present the best, most professional image in a job interview, a Facebook profile gives a truer picture of a person’s personality.

Following the guideline above, ask yourself whether you would be embarrassed if a supervisor, client or customer saw the item you are about to post before you post it can keep you from losing job opportunities as a result of questionable content on Facebook.  If you are job searching review your Facebook profile with a potential employer’s perspective in mind.  If anything could cause doubts in the mind on any employer, delete it.