Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Social Media Tip: Facebook Updates Privacy Controls


By Kelsey McWilliams, junior journalism major at CU-Boulder

It’s job and internship application season, and that means it’s also time to clean up your social media profiles. Employers are becoming more likely to check potential employees online profiles before deciding to hire them. Facebook recently changed its privacy controls, so make sure that you update your settings so that an inappropriate photo doesn’t ruin your chances of getting your dream job.

With its privacy control update, Facebook installed a privacy setting shortcut icon. This is an easier way for you to find out who can see what on your profile. Go to the top right corner of your profile and click the lock button, which will bring down the privacy shortcuts. Here you can determine who can see your stuff, who can contact you, and how to block unwanted friends. To access the full privacy settings, click on account settings and then select the security tab.

Make sure that your privacy settings are strict enough so that only the people you choose can see only what you want them to see. While privacy settings will help, it’s also important to go through your photos, videos, status updates and other information to make sure that your profile is as clean as it can be. Some interviewers have asked potential employees to sign into their own Facebook accounts during interviews, so that the employer then has access to everything you can see on your own profile.

Don’t waste any more time with inappropriate content on your profile because that could be the one factor that prevents you from getting a job or internship!

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