Facebook: for work or play?
Facebook launched the popularity of social networking sites. While a growing number of companies use Facebook, among other social websites, it started out as a college-only network.
For Play:
In the beginning, signing up on Facebook required a university-issued email address. Students could interact with their friends from home, or even with their friends down the hallway in their own dorm. It was used for fun, to post photos of weekend parties, update everyone on what you were doing (A friend of mine would post in her "status" that she was studying at the library. In reality, she was napping in her dorm room and didn't want people bothering her.), and write funny comments on other people's "wall." It soon became addicting, and was a fun way to spend your study breaks.
The instant popularity was evident. My friends in sororities were ordered to De-activate their Facebook account during recruitment, I guess so that whatever was posted on their profiles wouldn't influence the new girls trying to join. That indicated the social presence of Facebook, and the mass majority of students that had joined. It was just assumed that you were on Facebook.
It was soon opened to high-school students as well, and shortly after that, anyone was able to join. Even teachers and parents began to join the Facebook craze.
The Shift:
People began to realize that posting pictures of themselves out partying with their friends may not be the image they want to put out there for future employers. Companies began using Facebook to their advantage, probably for the first time, by looking at profiles of their job applicants. (I've heard stories of companies not hiring a candidate after seeing their crazy party habits on Facebook). Students were advised not to post incriminating photos of themselves out drinking, or to take off their profiles all-together when it was time to send out their resumes. (Make sure you have the right privacy settings, and this shouldn't be too much of a problem.)
Many companies have banned access to Facebook on office computers; they see it as a waist of time and productivity. Yes, it can be used for personal use, but they are not recognizing it as a valuable communication tool. Read this article on "How to Address Facebook in the Workplace."
For Work:
Some companies and industries, however, have utilized Facebook and other social networks as a communication tool. An increasing amount of websites I've visited have included links to their Facebook profiles, or ask me to "follow" them on Twitter. The real estate industry especially, seems to have jumped on board using online social networks; in addition to Facebook there are handfuls of online networks specifically used to share real estate information.
With all the sites available, real estate professionals can connect to millions of real estate buyers, sellers, Realtors, investors, property managers, etc. Facebook now has multiple real estate groups to join. While Facebook isn't specific to real estate, it probably has the broadest audience, and can be used to reach those that might not think to join a real estate network.
No matter what industry you're in, you can create a company page to provide info about your company, complete with an event calendar, videos, photos, discussion boards, and more.
Work AND Play:
It is pretty clear that Facebook can now be used for both work AND play. Companies are using Facebook, along with other social networking sites, to their advantage to communicate and get the word out about what they do and what they can offer their online audience. Sharing info online is fast and convenient, and I don't think it's a trend.
If you haven't joined yet, visit Facebook now and create your profile!
For Play:
In the beginning, signing up on Facebook required a university-issued email address. Students could interact with their friends from home, or even with their friends down the hallway in their own dorm. It was used for fun, to post photos of weekend parties, update everyone on what you were doing (A friend of mine would post in her "status" that she was studying at the library. In reality, she was napping in her dorm room and didn't want people bothering her.), and write funny comments on other people's "wall." It soon became addicting, and was a fun way to spend your study breaks.
The instant popularity was evident. My friends in sororities were ordered to De-activate their Facebook account during recruitment, I guess so that whatever was posted on their profiles wouldn't influence the new girls trying to join. That indicated the social presence of Facebook, and the mass majority of students that had joined. It was just assumed that you were on Facebook.
It was soon opened to high-school students as well, and shortly after that, anyone was able to join. Even teachers and parents began to join the Facebook craze.
The Shift:
People began to realize that posting pictures of themselves out partying with their friends may not be the image they want to put out there for future employers. Companies began using Facebook to their advantage, probably for the first time, by looking at profiles of their job applicants. (I've heard stories of companies not hiring a candidate after seeing their crazy party habits on Facebook). Students were advised not to post incriminating photos of themselves out drinking, or to take off their profiles all-together when it was time to send out their resumes. (Make sure you have the right privacy settings, and this shouldn't be too much of a problem.)
Many companies have banned access to Facebook on office computers; they see it as a waist of time and productivity. Yes, it can be used for personal use, but they are not recognizing it as a valuable communication tool. Read this article on "How to Address Facebook in the Workplace."
For Work:
Some companies and industries, however, have utilized Facebook and other social networks as a communication tool. An increasing amount of websites I've visited have included links to their Facebook profiles, or ask me to "follow" them on Twitter. The real estate industry especially, seems to have jumped on board using online social networks; in addition to Facebook there are handfuls of online networks specifically used to share real estate information.
With all the sites available, real estate professionals can connect to millions of real estate buyers, sellers, Realtors, investors, property managers, etc. Facebook now has multiple real estate groups to join. While Facebook isn't specific to real estate, it probably has the broadest audience, and can be used to reach those that might not think to join a real estate network.
No matter what industry you're in, you can create a company page to provide info about your company, complete with an event calendar, videos, photos, discussion boards, and more.
Work AND Play:
It is pretty clear that Facebook can now be used for both work AND play. Companies are using Facebook, along with other social networking sites, to their advantage to communicate and get the word out about what they do and what they can offer their online audience. Sharing info online is fast and convenient, and I don't think it's a trend.
If you haven't joined yet, visit Facebook now and create your profile!
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