Trends and Implications : The Use of Facebook in the Professional World

The recent trend of connectivity through the Internet has served as a spark for the social media era, resulting in a number of social websites such as Xanga (social blogging site), MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and many others. Facebook specifically has become an everyday norm in the lives of most young adults. With the societal shift towards a digitally orientated lifestyle, there is an increased interaction between friends, family, and nonacquaintances via social networking sites like Facebook. As a result, the manner in which users portray themselves online becomes influential for new friends viewing their pages. Similarly, professional companies are now utilizing Facebook for marketing, promotions, and even recruiting. This becomes an issue, then, for young adults looking to launch their careers and are unaware of the way in which companies utilize Facebook. The purpose of this study was to identify how companies use Facebook and whether or not there is a “knowledge gap” between young adults and professionals. Upon learning if and how companies use Facebook, young adults can be informed on how to present themselves online so as to balance their social and professional online image. The results of the study identified a shifting trend towards companies using Facebook in the near future; as social networking merges together with professional networking, it becomes increasingly important to adopt a long-termed mindset. Cautionary tactics are recommended, such as adjusting privacy settings and removing inappropriate images. TRENDS & IMPLICATIONS: THE USE OF FACEBOOK IN THE PROFESSIONAL WORLD 4 Chapter I Purpose of the Study With all the recent technological advances that society has seen within the last few decades, none have experienced such an explosive, exponential growth as that of the Internet. The Internet created a societal structure that has changed the way people go about their lives, including the way they work, they way they seek information, and the way they communicate with each other. This idea of connectivity through the Internet served as a spark for the social media era, resulting in a number of social websites such as Xanga (social blogging site), MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and many others. These websites, which are so much more than your average static webpages, allow for communication and collaboration in ways that were unthinkable a decade ago. Facebook specifically has become an everyday norm in the lives of most young adults, so much so that it is typically considered unusual when a high school or college student does not have a Facebook account. Additionally, with the recent introduction of mobile connectivity Facebook users can now update and post via their mobile phones, allowing for 24/7 connectivity. With Facebook and other social media sites, it is undeniable that society has shifted towards an incredibly digitally oriented lifestyle. This shift has created a new way of interacting with each other, and as a result social media pages have become a direct reflection of the individuals using them. The manner in which users portray themselves online, then, becomes influential for new friends viewing their pages. But why is this significant? Facebook has progressed past being solely a social media site for friends; it is now being used by professional companies to network, create a strong online presence, and in some cases is used as a tool for recruiting. Now, the manner in which one presents themselves online can potentially be seen and TRENDS & IMPLICATIONS: THE USE OF FACEBOOK IN THE PROFESSIONAL WORLD 5 evaluated by companies looking to hire them. Young adults are no longer Facebook’s only demographic, and professionals have recognized the power of having a social media presence. They have also realized that Facebook is a perfect way to determine an individual’s character. Just as a resume provides insight on an individual’s work ethic, a look at their Facebook page provides insight on their social ethics. Hence, young adults seeking careers must be extremely wary about what they choose to post on their pages. Though this transition has indeed taken place, young adults seeking to launch their careers have not yet realized the potential dangers of a lackadaisical attitude regarding their Facebook image. There is a significant knowledge gap between what young college students think is appropriate and what companies actually believe to be appropriate. Similarly, there is a knowledge gap between whether or not companies will take the time to perform a “social media background check” on an individual to strengthen or weaken their chances of getting hired. Hence, the purpose of this study was to discover just how large that knowledge gap is, and to reveal the best manner in which to portray oneself on Facebook. Because friends are no longer the only ones viewing Facebook pages, young adults must be wary about posting pictures of alcohol or drugs, status updates containing profanity, college parties, etc. This study focused specifically on young adults in (or recently out of) college who are currently seeking full-time jobs. Significance of the Study Just as the Internet has progressed through the years, Facebook has similarly grown and expanded its demographic, and in turn its services. Though perhaps not intentionally, Facebook has become a powerful tool for companies. The line between “social networking” and TRENDS & IMPLICATIONS: THE USE OF FACEBOOK IN THE PROFESSIONAL WORLD 6 “professional networking” is becoming more and more blurred and soon will be indistinguishable. Young adults must be educated on how their information can potentially impact their future careers, and realize that nothing online is really “private” anymore. Knowledge on this subject will allow Facebook users to take the necessary precautions with their pages and even to be proactive by creating a positive, professional social image. It is no longer acceptable to be uneducated on the connection between social media and company hiring tactics; this study will shed light on any uncertainties and will serve as a wake-up call for those who do not take the subject seriously. Interest in the Study Social media has swept the world in terms of its breadth and scope. It is changing the way businesses market and generate interest, and it has penetrated almost every industry. Websites like Facebook will continue to change the way people connect with each other, and though there are numerous benefits to a hyper-connected society, users must understand the risks and potential repercussions that accompany them. It is believed that there is a gap between what young adults know and what they think they know. There is a great deal of uncertainty regarding how companies use Facebook, and this study will benefit those who wish to protect their online image. If companies can use Facebook as a tool for recruiting, then young job seekers can use Facebook as a tool to present themselves in a professional manner if they so choose. TRENDS & IMPLICATIONS: THE USE OF FACEBOOK IN THE PROFESSIONAL WORLD 7 Chapter II Literature review A social networking site (SNS) is defined as a linked collection of Web pages that allow members to communicate with one another, as well as post personal information including blogs, pictures, and videos (Malesky, 2012). Though Facebook may be the first social networking site that comes to mind, there are a number of other sites that have gained millions of users by facilitating interaction between those individuals who share common interests and activities, such as YouTube, Flickr, and LinkedIn (Junghun, 2013). Because of the sheer number of users, social networking sites have become crucial to online activity; more than two-thirds of the global online population visit and participate in social networking and blogs (Junghun, 2013). To date, there are hundreds of social networking sites currently being used. The first one, classmates.com, launched its site in 1995. Many of the sites that were introduced prior to Facebook catered to specific interests, like VampireFreak.com and FilmAffinity (Junghum, 2013). What made Facebook such a popular networking site of choice was its’ ability to connect anyone with any interest. A History of Facebook Though there are hundreds of social networking sites that cater to a variety of interests, Facebook remains one of the most popular choices amongst young adults, with over a billion registered users (Malesky, 2012). Since its beginnings in 2004, Facebook has emerged as one of the most powerful and successful corporations in this era, continuously evolving under the leadership of its’ founder, Mark Zuckerburg. In today’s day and age, almost one in seven people have a Facebook account; not having a one was likened to “not having a telephone in 1986” TRENDS & IMPLICATIONS: THE USE OF FACEBOOK IN THE PROFESSIONAL WORLD 8 (Melanson, 2012). In addition to individuals who use Facebook for social purposes, other users range from businesses, companies, musicians, bands, volunteer groups, and more. It has become a useful tool for marketing, promoting and spreading news. In essence, Facebook has created a way in which to be hyper-connected with an immediate, intimate group of people. But how did it get there? Facebook began at Harvard University, and quickly expanded to other areas within Boston. Zuckerberg registered “thefacebook.com” domain on January 11, 2004, explaining that he wanted to, “Create a website that can connect people within the University” (Zeevi, 2012). Upon finishing the site, “the Facebook” (as it was previously called) was sent out in a mailing list to Harvard residents, and within 24 hours of sending it out they had between twelve and fifteen hundred registrants (Zeevi, 2012). From there, Facebook received its first private investment from Peter Theil, founder of PayPal, for $500,000 in exchange for 10.2% of the company. By December 30, 2004 Face