Facebook Timeline; What it Means for Candidates, Guardian Jobs Gives Advice and Tips

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February 16, 2012
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Facebook Timeline; What it Means for Candidates, Guardian Jobs Gives Advice and Tips

LONDON, February 16, 2012/PRNewswire/ --

    The imminent reformatting of Facebook looks set to further expose the private lives of
its users. The standard layout will be transformed into a timeline of events, a collated
year by year account of user's movements on Facebook since their birth, or Facebook
sign-up date.

    It has, understandably, caused a stir amongst employers and employees, because of the
backlog of history now so readily available to browse and click. In short, if nothing is
tailored, made private or deleted, employers have immediate access to a potential
candidate's 'social' history - warts and all.

    Guardian Jobs acknowledges it is an interesting issue and a subject of great debate.
It raises questions around the relationship between employers, jobs
[http://jobs.guardian.co.uk ], candidates and networking sites whether professional or
social.

    Social sites offer their users a powerful connection tools, based on interest, or
personal data matching like where users live, or like to shop. But the line between social
networking and socialising can be a thin one. While Facebook has arguably moved things
forward within the recruitment process - opening doors of networking and opportunities for
many - it has also enabled employers to shut down potential candidates based on their
online profiles - including photographs of people socialising. In the UK 76% of all
Facebook profile photos are of people in an inebriated state, the highest figure globally.
And numerous surveys have shown that employers and recruiters use Facebook and other
networking sites to filter and check the profile and background of potential candidates.

    On one hand, this can work very well for the employee by showcasing an involved
informed candidate able to discuss industry trends, and taking an interest perhaps in
raising money for charity. But the threat to a candidate's privacy, ability to let off
steam and have fun whilst not at work is also present, and we all need boundaries between
work and play. Prospective employers will have - if settings remain public - access to
Facebook footage in all its glory: whether drunk and vulgar abandonment or informed
engaged professional.

    Guardian Jobs advises users of social platforms whether social or professional to
consider their online footprint. This means typing their name into a search engine and
checking what comes up. They also advise that candidates may want to consider having
professional accounts, and that they must check privacy settings.

    Guardian Jobs' Facebook page is full of news, articles and ideas to help candidates
and professionals progress cyber careers. Knowing how to network without jeopardising
reputation is a challenge but there is plenty of credible, free advice available to
internet users.

    Head to http://www.facebook.com/guardianjobs for all the latest job listings

    About Guardian Jobs

    Guardian Jobs has been the market leader in recruitment across the quality press for
almost 20 years. With an audience comprising high quality jobseekers, Guardian only list
the highest calibre vacancies in sectors that include Media, Education, Government,
Graduate, Secretarial, Charities, Marketing, Social Care and Arts among others.

    Contact: Sophie Relf, sophie.relf@guardian.co.uk, T: +44-2033532180

Source: Guardian Jobs

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