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When looking for a job in this tough economy, it’s important to consider any tactic that might give you an edge from other people who could be seeking the same position as you. With more than 500 million active users, Facebook is probably a platform that you’re already using and it’s quite probable that someone from the company you’ve applied to uses it, too. Make sure you leverage the power of Facebook by learning to use it to your advantage in your job hunt.
Facebook may be a place for you to catch up on what friends and family has been up to, but it can also be used to present a professional image and network with people in your chosen industry. More employers are starting to look at Facebook profiles to decide who to hire. First of all, make sure you use the Facebook privacy settings to make sure that anything you wouldn’t want a potential employer to see (like photos of Halloween parties or things your childhood friends may write on your wall) are hidden.
However, don’t hide everything! You want employers to be able to see some very specific information about you so that they can start to form an image about the type of person you are – which is the type of the person that they’ll want working for them. Make sure that anyone looking at your page can see your education and work experience, especially if it’s relevant to the positions you’re considering. Take advantage of the “project” field in the employer section to highlight special experience you have. Lastly, consider joining Facebook groups that show how interested you are in the industry you’re exploring.
