Social networking sites like Facebook and Bebo can be good in a lot of ways. There is no lack of information regarding the benefits of social networking for busy professionals and college co-eds. If you’re in business where image matters, LinkedIn might be more to your liking. Social networking of any kind can be a huge benefit. In an artsy profession like music or interior design? There are social networking sites where you’d fit in and you are encouraged to participate.
But there have been negatives to follow from social networking as well. People have lost their jobs due to what was placed in profiles. People have not been hired for certain jobs because a potential employer conducted a background check and discovered something they felt was incompatible with employment by the firm. Now, college students are starting to feel the fall out as well.
Social networking is about relationships. Building for now, and building for the future. But when you are involved with an organization that has its own reputation to consider and you want to maintain your relationship with that organization, it might be to your own benefit to consider their concerns. Otherwise, you may find yourself without a job or college education.
This is a very sensitive issue. It’s best if individuals leave out the work affiliation if they know there going to have things their company would object to. I would keep separate profiles for personal and business so the two never get mingled together.