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Adapting to Recent Facebook Changes
If you regularly use Facebook, it's not news to you that they recently updated their settings and redesigned your "home" Facebook page. Again.
While some Facebook users may have opted not to try the new look, it is important to be aware of how your profile looks to others, as they will see an updated version of your profile if they have updated their own settings, even if you are still using the "old" style.
Your profile now prominently displays photos as well as information about where you went to school, where you work, where you are from and your relationship status. In the past, this was information users only found if they went looking through the various tabs on your profile.
If you follow the Edit My Profile tab, you will be able to create featured lists of friends and information about your likes, dislikes and interests. These will then become part of your Facebook page as a row of images. (Although, apparently, users will only see information you have allowed them to access via the privacy settings.)
Job seekers should pay special attention to several of these new features:
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Photos at the top of your profile.
Since recently tagged pictures appear along the top of your profile, be vigilant in untagging everything you don't want people to see. Now, no one needs to troll through your pictures to see your recent shots – they are displayed for anyone who visits your page with access to your pictures. It's also good to know that you can roll over any featured photos and click the small X in the corner of the picture if you do not want to untag the picture, but it isn't the first thing you want people to see on your page. As long as you have several pictures you don't mind sharing, you should be fine.
Job seekers may consider actually stocking their recently tagged photos with professional pictures so all featured pictures tell the story you want to tell.
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The new Education and Work sections.
It's more important than ever for you to fill in your Education and Work section. The new profile highlights your titles and employers. I listed "Job Search Coaching/Resume Writing/Social Media Consulting" as my current work "title," and that is what people see when they visit my page. What do you want people to see when they visit your page? Give yourself a title or a headline that is descriptive and explains your expertise. (Accomplish this via the Edit Profile button at the top, right side.)
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Languages.
If you speak languages other than the obvious (for example, English), feel free to list them. This information also shows up on your page. I have seen people list "English," which looks a bit strange as a highlight on a page when everyone would expect the person to speak English. When you update your settings, be sure to take some time reviewing your page as someone else might see it. Remove or change anything that doesn't seem useful.
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New Privacy setting options.
If you have made it available in your privacy settings, when people you do not know who are friends of your friends visit your page, they will see information about what you like, as well as events you are planning to attend that you have listed in your Facebook page. This information is highlighted visually much more than it was before. Be sure you are only sharing details you want people to see, and review the Privacy settings. (Follow Account, Privacy Settings to address your specific privacy needs.)
Bottom Line:
Like most social media sites, Facebook is always changing, and, given the size of the Facebook universe, the changes can have a very large impact on your job search. So, watch this space for additional information about how to set up your Facebook privacy settings and for updates about how to use Facebook for your job hunt.
© Copyright Miriam Salpeter, 2011. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
Miriam Salpeter is a Career Action Coach and Owner of Keppie Careers. With a master’s degree from Columbia University and over 12 years of experience, her mission is to encourage, enlighten and empower job seekers and entrepreneurs for success. She teaches best practices to land great career opportunities and offers clients clarity, confidence, and social media know-how. You may follow her @Keppie_Careers and join her Facebook community for frequent updates.