LinkedIn Is Not Facebook
LinkedIn is not Facebook.
I repeat LinkedIn is NOT Facebook and one more time for the people in the back:
LINKEDIN IS NOT FACEBOOK.
Yes, LinkedIn and Facebook are both social media platforms; however, they are not to be treated the same way. Why? Well, let me break it down.
LinkedIn is a professional platform while Facebook is not.
FB is for connecting with friends and family. If you’re on LinkedIn, chances are you’re looking for a job.
LinkedIn is meant to connect with future employers and to network; it should never be treated as ‘casual landscape.’ But what should or shouldn’t go on your LinkedIn? Well, I’m not a job expert so research what the professionals think helps. Also, if you have a former college professor, older sibling/friend, or someone who indeed is an employed professional, ask them for advice about what should go on your professional profile.
On Facebook, go right ahead and post all the pictures of your pets, lunch with your friends, and silliness (within reason) you’d like, but do not go posting those things on LinkedIn.
Regardless, being very careful about what you post on your public social media profiles (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) is worth it. Why? Well, mainly because certain employers will look you up on Facebook and those other platforms. So, don’t post anything you wouldn’t feel comfortable with a future employer seeing.
For example, if you called off sick from work to go and hang out with a friend or to hit the beach, don’t go posting that on Facebook or on LinkedIn, for that matter. I have heard too many stories of someone simply working a summer part-time job, deciding to call in sick in order to enjoy a sunny day with friends, went on to post about it via their social media profiles, and then proceeded to lose their summer job.
You don’t owe anyone any explanation about what you’re doing with your daily life except for your boss and that’s more if you can’t make it into work. Really, skipping work, much like skipping class, is nothing to publicly brag about.
It doesn’t look ‘clever’ or ‘cooly rebellious;’ it looks irresponsible and like you’ve never grown up. You’re almost coming right out and saying: “Hey world, I can’t be trusted with adult responsibilities!”
Please, don’t hinder possible opportunities for yourself in ways that could be prevented. Really, if you’re thinking twice about posting something to social media, don’t. You’ll be glad you didn’t post it.