It’s all fun and games until your parents or bosses catch a glimpse of those party pictures you’ve been tagged in on Facebook.
According to a recent survey conducted by Edinburgh Business School, the “fun” that the social network has provided may not be worth it in the long run. Many users are worried those wild nights out or the friendly banter online with friends may come back to haunt them, as employers are claiming to use Facebook more to weed out potential job candidates. And although Facebook has settings to control who sees what, the survey revealed that only one-third of Facebook users take advantage of this feature.
As discussed in a prior PR News article, the line between one's personal and professional lives is getting more and more blurred. On Facebook, both unflattering pictures and dialogue can damage your reputation and make employers think twice about hiring you. The party doesn’t have to end on Facebook, but with social networks becoming a part of the hiring process and one's job description, taking note of what you do and don’t want seen must be a priority.
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