I was in a meeting the other day where we were discussing social and professional networking. One of the participants mentioned the significant increase in Facebook users over 25 (comScore reported 181% growth from the 25-34 year old demographic and a 98% increase from those 35 years and older).

Kate Evans-Correia's article about Facebook's Professional Potential mentions some of the same issues I've wondered about. That line between social and professional gets pretty blurry and I'm not sure how, and when, you should draw it, especially when you're job searching? One of my colleagues, for example, wants to use Facebook to meet people and she mentions that she's interested in social drinking in her profile. Which wouldn't be good to advertise if she was job searching. Her photo isn't one you'd particularly want to share with a prospective employer either.

Part of the difference, I think, is that when I look at my LinkedIn profile there isn't anything other than professional information. With Facebook there's just so much other stuff - gifts you can send, friends you can poke, birthdays, parties, and other events. However, that's exactly what Facebook was designed to do and therein lies the dilemma.

Most of the feedback I've received suggests that Facebook and business don't mix. Here are the responses I've received, so far:

• I asked several HR Managers and Recruiters and they were all negative about it.
• Facebook is definitely a personal social networking site, not a professional networking site.
• Facebook and MySpace may be great tools to reconnect with friends or to seek out social endeavors, but not for professional networking.
• Keep social and business completely separate.

Using Facebook for Business Networking

For those who do decide to use it, suggestions included keeping a simple profile with minimal graphics and widgets, limiting the photos you post, posting content relevant to your work, and using Facebook email to build and solidify relationships with your Friends.

As far as I'm concerned, I'm still not sure about Facebook and professional networking. I'd welcome your comments (below) or email me and share your thoughts.

Related Resources

• Advice on Facebook and Professional Networking
• Facebook Privacy Tips
• LinkedIn and Your Job Search
• MySpace and Job Searching
• Social Networking and Your Job Search