Social media is the phenomenon of recent times. The top 3 social media sites of today - Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter - each have their own unique features which make people come back to them again and again.
The upside of social media sites is that they allow you to connect and create community, and these sites can be very effective, if used properly, to foster and solidify relationships in the real world.
The downside of social media is that people might end up knowing much more about you then you would want them to.
In my opinion, Facebook is the most dangerous Web 2.0 site for the professional and executive. There are many ways Facebook can be detrimental to your career. One example of how it can do this is through the Games functionality.
How is that? Well, do you REALLY want to let the world know that you play Farmville or that you are very into Horoscopes? We all have our outlets for fun - and that's fine. But you need to keep in mind that others can see in real time exactly when you reached another level on Farmville. Your current (and future) employer, clients, and employees may see this activity - and it can have a negative impact on your career. Needless to say, participating in this kind of activity during working hours, even if you are officially out of the office, only makes the situation worse. Perception is reality, how much more so in virtual reality.
One solution is for professionals and executives to create a Games profile on Facebook. This way you can enjoy your favorite Facebook games without letting the professional world know what level they just reached in the online mafia.
Games are one example of how Facebook can be a Career Killer. Be careful out there.
Keep an eye out for our upcoming posts on how other social media sites affect your career.
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